Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has thrown a line across the full breadth of the domestic game, reeling in a 49-man squad for the first in-person alignment camp of the year in Cape Town from 3 to 6 March.
The selection reads like a rugby atlas of South Africa’s present and future. Fourteen Rugby World Cup winners stand shoulder to shoulder with 11 uncapped players, five of whom are still cutting their teeth in the Junior Bok ranks. It is a squad built with one eye on the grind of 2026 and the other fixed firmly on the distant glow of the 2027 global showpiece.
Among the most significant inclusions is tighthead pillar Frans Malherbe, who returns to the national fold after back and neck injuries have sidelined him since the 2023 World Cup final. His presence adds the heft of a seasoned scrum anchor to a group brimming with youthful energy.
Junior World Champions step up
Five rising stars from the junior structures have been ushered into the senior environment. Leading that charge is 2025 Junior World Championship-winning captain Riley Norton, a utility forward whose leadership credentials already carry weight. He is joined by SA U20 teammates Cheswill Jooste and Siphosethu Mnebelele.
Two members of the 2025 SA U18 squad currently touring Georgia with the Junior Boks also cracked the nod: prop Kai Pratt and centre Markus Muller.
Jooste, along with scrumhalf Haashim Pead and utility forward Bathobele Hlekani, had a taste of the Bok set-up in Johannesburg last season. They now return to a camp designed to sharpen understanding of systems, standards and expectations.
The list of first-time alignment invitees also includes Emmanuel Tshituka, Jaco Williams, Paul de Villiers and prop Zachary Porthen, who made his Test debut against Japan late last year.
Erasmus welcomed the blend of hardened campaigners and emerging prospects.
“This is an exciting group of players who have all made a strong statement for their respective provincial unions, and we are delighted to have some of the finest young talent in the country attending the camp to expose them to our environment and structures,” he said.
“Bathobele, Haashim, and Cheswill trained with us for a few days last year, and we saw how valuable that experience was for them, so hopefully, all the young players and those attending their first alignment camp will also gain a greater understanding of how the team operates.”
Laying tracks for a demanding season
The Cape Town gathering will feature boardroom briefings and gym sessions, with national coaches mapping out tactical frameworks and non-negotiable standards. It forms part of a broader strategy as the Boks begin constructing their campaign toward the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
A virtual alignment camp with 21 overseas-based players will follow, ensuring the entire talent pool is rowing in rhythm.
Planning for the international season is already deep into its phases. The Springboks launch their campaign against the Barbarians on 20 June in Gqeberha. The Nations Championship then brings home clashes against England national rugby union team in Johannesburg on 4 July, Scotland national rugby union team in Pretoria on 11 July and Wales national rugby union team in Durban on 18 July.
August delivers a trip to Buenos Aires to face Argentina national rugby union team, followed by four Tests against the New Zealand national rugby union team in the latest chapter of rugby’s fiercest rivalry. An away fixture against the Australia national rugby union team on 27 September precedes a European tour featuring Italy national rugby union team, France national rugby union team and Ireland national rugby union team, before a Finals Weekend in London from 27 to 29 November.
“The coaches and management staff have been working around the clock to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for what will be a challenging season, and all the operational and logistical aspects are in place for everything to run as smoothly as possible, so we are excited for the season ahead,” said Erasmus.
“The next step is to start working with the players and getting them into the swing of things, so we are delighted about this opportunity to get everyone aligned.”
A second alignment camp is scheduled for May. For now, the message is clear. The Springboks are building depth like a scrum stacking for a decisive shove, layering youth onto experience as they set their sights on another charge at rugby’s highest summit.
Players invited to the first Springbok alignment camp:
Forwards: Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Ox Nche, Kai Pratt, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Johan Grobbelaar, Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw, Siphosethu Mnebebele, Ruan Nortje, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Cobus Wiese, Jan-Hendrik Wessels (all Vodacom Bulls), Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon, Neethling Fouche, Frans Malherbe, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Salmaan Moerat, Riley Norton, Zachary Porthen, Evan Roos (all DHL Stormers), Bathobele Hlekani, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter (all Lions).
Backs: Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Makazole Mapimpi, Edwill van der Merwe, Grant Williams, Jaco Williams (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sebastian de Klerk, Cheswill Jooste, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard (all Vodacom Bulls), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Markus Muller, Cobus Reinach, Damian Willemse (all DHL Stormers), Quan Horn, Haashim Pead, Morne van den Berg (all Lions).
