The Springboks are soon set to regroup, with a two-day alignment camp in March set to signify the team’s first gathering following their Rugby World Cup triumph in France in 2023. The Springbok coaching team, led by double Rugby World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus, will assemble in the Mother City on Monday 4 March, for two days where they will plot their plans for the 2024 season.
With as many as 43 players selected for this first camp, it’s clear that Rassie Erasmus is casting his net wide as he opts to take a closer look at host of domestic players who have obviously caught his eye.
Keeping that in mind, it is surprising that Stormers loose forward Hacjivah Dayimani will not form part of this first camp despite displaying highly impressive form over the first half of the URC season.
Similarly, Aphelele Fassi has shown some encouraging form for the Sharks, having clearly sought to work on certain areas of his game that could bring him back into the Springbok mix.
Another standout takeaway from the squad announcement was the fact that Deon Fourie was missing from an otherwise extensive list of locally-based players.
However, it should be noted that this will mark the first of three alignment camps before the Springboks put the building blocks in place on the field for the international season, and Erasmus has sought to drive this message home.
“Guys and ladies just some info.” he wrote on X. “Remember an alignment camp does not mean those are the only players who will play for the Springboks this year! Just like in the past there is a purpose for every camp!”
Full list of players invited by Rassie Erasmus to the first Springbok alignment camp (in alphabetical order):
Forwards: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Celimpilo Gumede (Vodacom Bulls), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Toyota Cheetahs), Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Ruan Venter (Emirates Lions), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jordan Hendrikse (Emirates Lions), Quan Horn (Emirates Lions), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Sanele Nohamba (Emirates Lions), Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions), Henco van Wyk (Emirates Lions), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).
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Big season ahead
The Springboks’ July fixtures include two Tests against Ireland and the first international against Portugal in the Incoming Series.
The Rugby Championship, meanwhile, will see the world champions play back-to-back Tests against Australia away before successive Tests against New Zealand at home, and two Tests – one home and one away – against Argentina.
CONFIRMED: 43 players invited to Springboks’ alignment camp
