Springboks Name Settled Squad For Rugby Championship Battles In New Zealand

The Springboks are keeping things familiar as they gear up for back-to-back Rugby Championship showdowns against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil. Coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed a 36-man squad, largely unchanged from the group that beat Australia in Cape Town, signalling faith in a unit that has built cohesion since June.

Erasmus Backs Consistency Over Surprises

Injuries to wings Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe have opened the door for veteran Makazole Mapimpi to return, while utility forward Cobus Wiese misses out but remains on standby. Apart from those tweaks, Erasmus has opted to keep the core intact, underlining his confidence in a group that has already shown grit in the opening rounds of the competition.

No. 8 Jasper Wiese will only be available for the second clash in Wellington due to suspension, but his return adds muscle to a forward pack already stacked with power in Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit.

The Weight Of History And Rivalry

South Africa’s rivalry with New Zealand is legendary, and these upcoming Tests at Eden Park (6 September) and Sky Stadium (13 September) could be season-defining. The Boks have beaten the All Blacks in their last four meetings, a rare streak that will be fuelling both sides’ motivation.

Erasmus, however, was quick to remind fans that history counts for little when two of rugby’s most decorated nations collide. “Facing the All Blacks in New Zealand is a massive challenge,” he said, pointing out how unpredictable the Rugby Championship has already been, with all four teams managing wins in the opening rounds.

For local fans, the early Saturday kick-off at 09:05 means breakfast rugby with a side of nerves. Social media has already started buzzing, with supporters calling it the “true litmus test” of where the Boks stand as defending champions.

A Wider Lens On The Campaign

The Boks lifted the Rugby Championship trophy in 2024 for the first time since 2019, and Erasmus has made it clear that defending that title is a major target. With Australia upsetting South Africa at Ellis Park earlier this year and Argentina stunning the All Blacks in Buenos Aires, the tournament has become a knife-edge contest where no result is guaranteed.

Still, the confidence within the Bok camp is clear. Kolisi, Du Toit, Willie le Roux and Jan-Hendrik Wessels have all shaken off niggles and been declared fit, giving Erasmus a nearly full-strength squad to call on.

Squad At A Glance

Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese

Backs: Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse.

Source:SABC Sport 

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