Rassie Erasmus has unveiled a formidable 54-man Springbok training squad as South Africa readies itself for a high‑octane summer of rugby. After a rigorous alignment camp in Cape Town, this deep squad, comprising 31 Rugby World Cup winning veterans, will be honed for a series of four key matches with the goal of blending continuity with fresh talent.
South Africa are out to kick-start the campaign towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup and beyond, and the fixtures begin with a prestigious match against the Barbarians. The fabled invitational side will include Ireland legends Cian Healy, Conor Murray and Peter O'Mahony, as well as former All Blacks captain Sam Cane and fellow countryman Shannon Frizzell. This exhibition offers a first of its kind spectacle for South African fans, whilst serving as an ideal testing ground for the emerging Springboks players.
That’s followed by two full Test matches against Italy and a concluding showdown with Georgia. It's a carefully-calibrated mix of experience and experimentation, that allows Erasmus to assess fringe players while building cohesion among his core squad.
Nine uncapped players have seized the opportunity to prove themselves at this level. Erasmus has stressed the importance of integrating upcoming talent alongside seasoned campaigners, highlighting that a broad squad enhances training quality, provides cover, and invests in the team’s future. This summer, newcomers will work directly with proven internationals, taking their first steps into test rugby and staking a claim for future selection .
South Africa's Summer Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kick-off Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 June 2025 | Barbarians | Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town | TBD |
| 5 July 2025 | Italy | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | TBD |
| 12 July 2025 | Italy | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha | TBD |
| 19 July 2025 | Georgia | Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit | TBD |
THE NINE UNCAPPED HOPEFULS IN SOUTH AFRICA TRAINING SQUAD FOR 2025 SUMMER SERIES
Ntokozo Makhaza (University of Cape Town Ikeys – Wing)
A true wildcard, Makhaza earns a place straight from Varsity Cup without any Currie Cup or United Rugby Championship exposure. Known for explosive pace and agile footwork, he’s been a standout for UCT, but this will be a steep step up. Erasmus’ selection signals belief in his raw potential, with Makhaza out to bring his elusiveness, and finishing ability straight to the Test match stage.
Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks – Centre/Wing)
A dynamic dual‑position utility back despite his front row namesake, Hooker’s physicality and versatility have caught attention throughout this URC season. He featured prominently in the Sharks’ campaign to the semi-finals, including a standout performance in their knockout clash with Munster, where he crossed the whitewash and earned Player of the Match honors.
Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks – Flanker)
The physical flank forward has brought relentless energy off the bench all season. Coming from strong showings at junior Springbok level, Tshituka has impressed with tackle count, breakdown presence, and consistency throughout the URC. With such a strong Springboks tutelage at the Sharks, Tshituka will join his club-mates such as Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi in the famous gold and green this Summer.
Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints, soon Ulster – Back Row)
Augustus' imposing line‑out work and physicality have shone through with Northampton this season, as the men in green, black and gold enjoyed a run to the Champions Cup Final. His aerial ability and tight‑phase aggression make him a fast‑tracked inclusion in Erasmus’s thinking, with a move to the URC prepared for the 2025/26 season.
Renzo du Plessis (Emirates Lions – Back Row)
A hard‑running back‑rower who joins the expanded pecking order, du Plessis offers adaptability across 6, 7, and 8 so expect to see his debut this Summer. He’s been a high‑workrate performer for the Lions in the URC, consistently disrupting opposition breakdowns and carrying powerfully in open play.
Neethling Fouché (DHL Stormers – Tight-Head Prop)
Fouché has earned selection through strong URC form with the Stormers, having called Cape Town home for the past five seasons. Fouche combines brash physicality in tight quarters with intelligent line‑runs, and the soft hands you'd come to expect from a Springbok front row. Familiar with Bok setups, he’s primed for a potential debut at 32-years-old.
Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Emirates Lions – Tight‑head Prop)
Known for his scrummaging strength and imposing stature, 153kg Ntlabakanye has been a hulking cornerstone of the Lions’ front‑row this season. His technical stability in the tight‑five and astonishing workrate in open phases has marked him as a rising force for the Test level by the Springbok selectors. A Lions man since his 2018 Currie Cup debut, Ntlabakanye graduated from the Golden Lions whilst earning U20 Springbok honours the following year.
Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls – Lock/Back Row)
A familiar name in the URC, Wiese brings ball‑carrying strength and engine‑room dynamism to the Bulls. His versatile performances have seen him shine at lock and as a loose-forward for the Pretoria side this season, with his taste for contact evident both as a carrier and in his revered tackling. Weise has earned another shot at Springbok involvement, yet he will be late to join the training fray, as the Bulls take on Leinster this Saturday with the URC title on the line at Dublin's Croke Park.
Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets – Hooker)
Marnus van der Merwe has made strong impressions in Europe with Scarlets, combining solid scrummaging, accurate line‑out throwing, and mobility around the field. A reoccuring resident of South Wales following his time with the Ospreys, van der Merwe inclusion underlines Erasmus’s focus on bolstering front‑row depth with experienced operators. Familiar with the South African style following extended stints with the Cheetahs, van der Merwe was instrumental in how the Scarlets became the sole Welsh club to reach the URC play-offs this season.
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