The Springboks have named a 36-man squad for their five-Test end-of-year tour, aiming to cement their status as the world’s top-ranked team. This touring group includes 21 forwards and 15 backline players, featuring one uncapped newcomer: former Junior Springbok captain and prop Zachary Porthen....Click to Read More >>➤
Head coach Rassie Erasmus is expected to utilize squad rotation throughout the challenging schedule. The tour begins with a historic fixture against Japan at London’s Wembley Stadium on November 1. The team then travels to face France at the Stade de France in Paris on November 8, followed by a match against Italy at Turin’s Allianz Stadium on November 15. The final two Tests are against Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on November 22 and Wales at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on November 29.
Erasmus Expresses Excitement Over Squad
“We are excited about the makeup of this squad,” said Erasmus. “Most of the players in the group have been with us throughout the season, while others are back from injury or have done the job for us before in the last few years.”
The coach highlighted the inclusion of Porthen as a positive development for South African rugby. “It’s also great to see a young player like Zachary, who has emerged through our junior structures, come through the ranks into the senior set-up, and we are excited to see what he can do at this level.”
Erasmus explained the selection strategy for the extended tour, noting the importance of player management. “With five tough matches lined up, we always planned to select a manageable squad, and we have a solid bunch of players on standby.” He clarified that players like Neethling Fouche and Salmaan Moerat were omitted to allow them crucial game time with their United Rugby Championship franchises as they return from injury.
A Challenging Tour Ahead
Looking at the opposition, Erasmus acknowledged the difficulty of the task ahead but emphasized the team’s eagerness. “It’s a longer tour than usual and we are facing top-class opposition, but we are looking forward to it,” he stated.
He broke down the threats posed by each team, noting that Ireland and France are ranked third and fourth globally. Italy, Wales, and Japan sit in 10th, 12th, and 13th place, respectively. “We’ve seen in the last few years that you cannot write off any team,” Erasmus cautioned.
The Springboks coach pointed to the recent form of their European rivals. “Ireland and France are always tough opposition, and they both won four out of their five Six Nations matches, with France emerging as the eventual champions. We know how challenging it is to beat them both at home.” He also recalled that Japan has beaten South Africa before, Italy provided a stern test in Pretoria earlier this year, and Wales recently defeated Japan, showing they are on an upward trajectory.
This end-of-year tour presents a critical opportunity for the Springboks to build momentum. “We have delivered a few good performances but also a few disappointing ones this season, so this will be a good opportunity to test ourselves and see if we can build consistency from week to week,” Erasmus concluded. “That said, it is going to take a massive effort, and we are excited about the tour.” ...Click to Read More >>➤
