Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made significant additions to his squad ahead of their final test in the Castle Lager Incoming Series against Portugal. The match, scheduled for Saturday in Bloemfontein, will see the Springboks looking to bounce back from their narrow 25-24 defeat against Ireland. Erasmus has called up five players, bringing the squad total to 41, including seven uncapped players.

Injury and Squad Updates

Key Absences Due to Injury

The Springboks will be without lock Franco Mostert and winger Edwill van der Merwe, both ruled out due to injuries. The extent of their injuries will be confirmed on Monday. Additionally, centre Damian de Allende has left the camp for personal reasons.

New Call-Ups

To reinforce the squad, Erasmus has called up capped players Elrigh Louw (loose forward) and Ntuthuko Mchunu (prop), along with uncapped players Quan Horn (fullback), Andre-Hugo Venter (hooker), and Ruan Venter (loose forward). These players participated in the Bok alignment camps in May and now join the current squad, which also includes eight players recently released to their provincial unions for the Carling Currie Cup.

Preparing for Portugal

Strategic Preparations

Erasmus emphasized the importance of the upcoming match against Portugal as a key opportunity to build squad depth with a view toward the 2027 Rugby World Cup. “It was always part of our planning to expose a few players to top-class international rugby against Portugal,” Erasmus explained. “We are delighted with the quality of the players coming through the ranks.”

Respect for Portugal’s Strength

Erasmus acknowledged Portugal’s strong performance at the Rugby World Cup last year, where they defeated Fiji. “We have no doubt they’ll want to make a strong statement against us,” he said. Despite planning to mix things up for this test, Erasmus assured that a quality team would be fielded, fully capable of securing a win and getting the Springboks’ season back on track.

Managing the Squad

Player Rotation and Rest

Several players will be released on Wednesday after the main on-field preparations for the test against Portugal. This is part of Erasmus’s broader strategy to manage the players’ workload effectively. “The players we plan to release will continue to put in the hard yards to prepare the team that will face Portugal, which is invaluable in preparing the team as well as possible,” Erasmus noted.

Looking Ahead to the Rugby Championship

The Springboks are gearing up for a demanding Castle Lager Rugby Championship, with back-to-back tests against Australia, home tests against New Zealand, and a test against Argentina. Erasmus emphasized the importance of managing player workload to ensure peak performance throughout this challenging schedule. “It’s vital that we manage the players well to allow them to regenerate,” he said, highlighting the importance of balancing rest and preparation.

Upcoming Fixture Details

The matchday team to face Portugal will be announced on Tuesday. The Springboks arrived in Bloemfontein on Sunday afternoon and will begin their on-field preparations on Monday. This historic test against Portugal promises to be an exciting encounter, providing valuable experience for the squad’s younger players.

Full Springbok Squad for the Match Against Portugal

Props: Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp, Jan-Hendrik Wessels (both Vodacom Bulls), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch, Trevor Nyakane (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Thomas du Toit (Bath).

Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers).

Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), RG Snyman (Leinster).

Loose Forwards: Siya Kolisi (Racing 92), Elrigh Louw, Marco van Staden (both Vodacom Bulls), Phepsi Buthelezi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Ben-Jason Dixon, Evan Roos (both DHL Stormers), Ruan Venter (Emirates Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers).

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions).

Flyhalves: Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok (both DHL Stormers).

Centres: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Emirates Lions).

Conclusion

Rassie Erasmus’s strategic adjustments and the inclusion of new players underline the Springboks’ preparation for their crucial test against Portugal. As they aim to recover from their recent defeat and build momentum for the upcoming Rugby Championship, this match offers a vital opportunity for development and success. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the Springboks and other rugby news at JamboBet.

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