"Finished" - Four Springbok legends left out of latest squad

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While much of the spotlight fell on the 11 uncapped players who were invited to attend the camp, the absence of several experienced campaigners also caught the eye.

Notably, a handful of senior players were omitted from the gathering, including hooker Bongi Mbonambi, props Vincent Koch and Trevor Nyakane, and veteran fullback Willie le Roux.

Bongi Mbonambi is one of South Africa’s most experienced hookers and a long-standing member of the Springboks pack.

Born in Bethal, Mpumalanga, he began his professional career with the Blue Bulls before making a name for himself at the Stormers and later the Sharks. Mbonambi made his Springbok debut in 2016 and has since become a regular in the national setup.

He played a key role in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023, forming part of a formidable front-row rotation. Known for his physicality, defensive work rate and reliability at the set piece, Mbonambi has been a cornerstone of the Springboks’ forward dominance over the past decade.

Vincent Koch is a powerful tighthead prop renowned for his scrummaging strength and technical expertise. Born in Pretoria, he began his professional career with the Blue Bulls before gaining valuable international experience with English Premiership club Saracens, where he won multiple domestic and European titles.

Koch made his Springbok debut in 2015 and has since become a dependable member of the national squad. He was part of the teams that lifted the Rugby World Cup in both 2019 and 2023, providing vital depth in the front row and consistently delivering stability at scrum time.

Willie le Roux is widely regarded as one of the most creative backs of the Springboks’ professional era. Born in Stellenbosch, he rose to prominence with Griquas before establishing himself with the Cheetahs and later the Bulls. He also enjoyed successful stints overseas in England and Japan.

Le Roux made his Springbok debut in 2013 and quickly became known for his vision, playmaking ability and dangerous counter-attacking runs from fullback.

Often acting as a secondary playmaker, he has been instrumental in unlocking opposition defences and played a role in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023.

Trevor Nyakane is a versatile prop capable of playing on both sides of the scrum, making him a valuable asset in any squad. Born in Mokopane, Limpopo, he began his professional career with the Cheetahs before becoming a long-serving player for the Bulls.

Nyakane made his Springbok debut in 2014 and has built a reputation as a hardworking and technically sound front-rower. His ability to cover both loosehead and tighthead prop has made him particularly valuable in tournament squads.

He was part of South Africa’s 2019 Rugby World Cup-winning team and remains respected for his durability, experience and team-first mentality.