Rassie Erasmus cut the Springbok squad to 45 players on Sunday, releasing these 11 players and adding one.
Bok squad: Who’s in, who’s out
The Bok coach made cuts after the first week of training in Johannesburg as the world champions prepare to host the Barbarians in Cape Town on 28 June before kicking off the 2025 season in July with two Tests against Italy and one against Georgia.
Here’s the ins and outs of the squad makeup, including injuries, releases, and new call-ups.
Injured and Released:
Six players have been released due to injuries and will return to their clubs or franchises for rehabilitation:
Lukhanyo Am (knee)
Pieter-Steph du Toit (shoulder)
Cameron Hanekom (hamstring)
Juarno Augustus (back)
Gerhard Steenekamp (knee)
Ntuthuko Mchunu (knee)
Released to Unions:
Five players were released as Erasmus feels there’s sufficient cover in their positions, though they remain on standby:
Jaden Hendrikse
Jordan Hendrikse
Quan Horn
Renzo du Plessis
Ntokozo Makhaza
Called Up:
Edinburgh prop Boan Venter is the only new addition, earning his first Springbok call-up. The former Cheetahs and Junior Springbok loosehead has impressed in the Vodacom URC and EPCR Challenge Cup and is set to join the squad on Sunday, 29 June.
Squad Updates:
The majority of the squad assembled in Johannesburg on Sunday, with Bulls players scheduled to join on Monday evening after their URC final defeat at Leinster, and RG Snyman (Tuesday), Handre Pollard and Thomas du Toit (Monday) arriving this week.
45-man Springbok squad:
Props: Thomas du Toit, Ox Nche, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Boan Venter, Vincent Koch, Neethling Fouche, Wilco Louw, Asenathi Ntlabakanye
Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx, Marnus van der Merwe
Locks: Eben Etzebeth, Salmaan Moerat, Jean Kleyn, Cobus Wiese, RG Snyman, Lood de Jager, Ruan Nortje, Franco Mostert
Loose forwards: Siya Kolisi, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Evan Roos, Jasper Wiese
Utility forwards: Jean-Luc du Preez, Vincent Tshituka
Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk, Grant Williams, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Handre Pollard
Centres: Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel, Ethan Hooker
Outside backs: Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Edwill van der Merwe, Aphelele Fassi, Damian Willemse, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie
