Rassie Erasmus has invited a group of 26 players for the Springboks’ first virtual alignment camp of the year.

The players invited consist mainly of overseas-based individuals but does include a handful of local talented youngsters and injured stars who cannot attend the camp in Cape Town from Monday 10 to Wednesday 12 March in person.

26 added to Springboks alignment camp

The 26 invitees are in addition to the 56 players – minus Trevor Nyakane who sustained an injury against the Bulls – that will be in attendance in the Mother City.

SA Rugby has confirmed that Erasmus and his assistant coaches and management team will host two virtual sessions on the day – one with the Japanese-based players and the other with the players playing in the northern hemisphere and domestically – to accommodate their respective time zones.

The 26 players invited include 18 Rugby World Cup winners with four further capped Springboks also in the group.

The only new player in this group is Jonathan Roche, who earns his first invitation to a Bok alignment camp after an impressive start to his Stormers career, with the other five locally based players having either worn the Springbok jersey or been invited to an alignment camp before.

Roche is joined by fellow uncapped Springboks Siya Masuku, Marnus van der Merwe and Nico Steyn.

“It is vital for us that all the players on our radar are exposed to our plans and goals for the season, so we intend to replicate our presentations to the group in Cape Town with these players, so everyone is on the same page as we embark on this challenging season,” said Erasmus.

“With a wide group of players invited to the respective alignment camps, we are excited to grow our player base and expose all these individuals to the national structures, as well as to explain what our expectations are of them for the forthcoming season.

“Many of these players have won a World Cup before, but we made it clear before the 2023 showpiece in France that we have to continue adapting and improving to remain at the top of our game – not only this season but also as we build toward the 2027 World Cup in Australia.”

Springboks alignment camp invitees

Players invited to the virtual Springbok alignment camps

Kurt-Lee Arendse (Dynaboars), Damian de Allende, Lood de Jager (both Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez (both Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Trevor Nyakane (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Siya Masuku (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Jonathan Roche (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Nico Steyn (Emirates Lions), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

In-person attendees:

Forwards: Ethan Bester, Phepsi Buthelezi, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche (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 (all Sharks); 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)