Rassie invites 56 SA-based players to Bok alignment camp
The gathering will be the first for the world champions as they begin their preparations in earnest for their 2025 international season, which starts in July and will feature a total of 13 Test matches.
FILE: Head coach of the Springboks, Rassie Erasmus. Picture: @Springboks/X
JOHANNESBURG - Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has invited 56 locally based players for a three-day alignment camp in Cape Town in March.
The group includes 18 members of the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad and 16 uncapped players.
The gathering will be the first for the world champions as they begin their preparations in earnest for their 2025 international season, which starts in July and will feature a total of 13 Test matches.
Erasmus' coaching staff will assemble in the Mother City on Friday, 7 March for three days of planning before the start of the alignment camp, which is set to conclude on Wednesday, 12 March. The camp will consist of gym sessions and a series of boardroom meetings to get the players on the same page regarding the requirements and expected standards for the season ahead.
"Our alignment camps have proven invaluable in the last few years as it offers us the opportunity to present our structures for the season, as well as the Springbok culture and way of doing things," said Erasmus.
This will be the first of three alignment camps as the Boks lay the foundation for their season which starts with two Tests against Italy in July and one against Georgia before the Rugby Championship starts on 16 August until 4 October. The season concludes with four matches on the end-of-year tour in November.
Players invited to Springbok alignment camp:
Forwards: Ethan Bester, Phepsi Buthelezi, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane (all Sharks); Ben-Jason Dixon, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche, Deon Fourie, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, Evan Roos, Andre-Hugo Venter (all Stormers); Renzo du Plessis, Francke Horn, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter (all Lions); Johan Grobbelaar, Celimpilo Gumede, Cameron Hanekom, Wilco Louw, Reinhardt Ludwig, Ruan Nortje, Gerhard Steenekamp, Akker van der Merwe, JF van Heerden, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams (allSharks); Paul de Wet, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse (all Stormers); Quan Horn, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Henco van Wyk (all Lions); Sebastian de Klerk, David Kriel, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Embrose Papier (all Bulls).