Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a 37-man squad for the final stages of the Nations Championship in November, including several talented young players. The squad features Stormers flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed, utility forward Riley Norton, and centre Markus Muller, all of whom played for the Junior Springboks in 2026. This move is seen as part of Erasmus' efforts to build squad depth and inject fresh talent into the team.
The inclusion of young players is a deliberate strategy by Erasmus to prepare the team for the future, particularly with the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia just a year away. The squad also includes Bulls utility back Luan Giliomee, another 2026 Junior Bok, and uncapped players Sebastian de Klerk and Manu Tshituka. These players have been impressive for their respective franchises and have been part of Bok alignment camps throughout the year.
However, the squad will be without several experienced players due to injury, including wing Cheslin Kolbe, lock Eben Etzebeth, centre André Esterhuizen, and flyhalf Handré Pollard. Erasmus expressed his disappointment at losing these players but is confident in the cover he has in their positions. The coach also highlighted that the young players have shown they have what it takes to compete at top franchise level.
The Springboks currently lead the southern hemisphere standings in the Nations Championship on points difference, tied on 15 points with New Zealand. The team will face Italy, France, and Ireland in the coming weeks, before the Finals Weekend in London. Erasmus emphasized that each of these teams will pose different threats and challenge the Springboks in various ways.
Italy, ranked 11th in the world, will be a quality opponent, playing at home in front of a passionate crowd. France, ranked fourth in the world, will also throw everything at the Springboks, as is their usual style. Ireland, who have won four of the last six matches against the Springboks, will present an equally stern challenge.
Erasmus is pleased with the squad depth he has built and is confident that the young players will deliver. He highlighted that several of the uncapped players featured for the senior SA "A" side against Zimbabwe earlier in the year and have been regulars at Bok alignment camps. The coach believes that building squad depth has always been one of the team's key pillars.
The Springbok squad for the second leg of the Nations Championship includes a mix of experienced and young players, with several positional battles likely to play out over the coming weeks. The team will be looking to make a strong impression against Italy, France, and Ireland, and Erasmus is confident that they have the talent and depth to compete with the best teams in the world.
Key points
- Rassie Erasmus has included several talented young players in the 37-man Springbok squad for the Nations Championship finale.
- The squad will be without several experienced players due to injury, including Cheslin Kolbe and Eben Etzebeth.
- The Springboks will face Italy, France, and Ireland in the coming weeks, before the Finals Weekend in London.
