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Springbok experimentation over for the season as Rassie picks experienced squad for UK tour

RG Snyman is wrapped up in a tackle by Andrew Porter and Josh van der Flier of Ireland during their Castle Lager Incoming Series clash at Kings Park Stadium in Durban on 13 July 2024. (Photo: ©Gerhard Duraan / BackpagePix)

By Craig Ray

22 Oct 2024

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has cut the fat from the squad, choosing 34 players to tour the UK in November.

How do you say “we’re here to win” without saying “we’re here to win?” You pick a 34-man squad without a single uncapped player and 29 World Cup winners in it.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has sent a clear message that the experimentation phase of the season is over, by naming a vastly experienced touring party to play against Scotland, England and Wales in November.

The Boks have won every trophy available to them this year, and want to finish the season with three more wins, which could see them end the year ranked No 1, depending on how Ireland fare in the coming weeks too.

Only fullback Damian Willemse, centre Andre Esterhuizen and locks Franco Mostert and RG Snyman missed the Rugby Championship through suspension and injury and are all back for the tour.

Willemse has missed the entire 2024 international season to date, but has made a strong return for the Stormers in recent weeks, despite playing in his less-preferred flyhalf position.

Springbok Damian Willemse in action during a World Cup pool game against Ireland at Stade de France in Paris on 23 September 2023. (Photo: Dave Winter / INPHO / Shutterstock)

Snyman has been in mouthwatering form for Leinster while Mostert’s proven track record means that he did not need to convince Erasmus of anything before being selected.

It’s a welcome return for three players who offer so much experience and skill between them. It will also make selections more challenging for Erasmus, but that’s something he has never seen as a negative.

Players such as flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (knee), prop Steven Kitshoff (neck) and locks Salmaan Moerat (knee) and Lood de Jager (shoulder) were not in contention for selection due to injury.

Read more: Rolling manoeuvres — how the Boks became rugby’s least-predictable team

Others such as flank Ben-Jason Dixon and hooker Johan Grobbelaar miss out on selection while players in the wider group will also have to wait for another chance. A total of 49 players have represented the Boks in 2024 and 35 played in the Rugby Championship.

“There’s no doubt that there are several unlucky players who could easily have made the touring squad, but unfortunately we could only select 34 players,” said Erasmus.

RG Snyman during the Castle Lager Incoming Series match against Portugal at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on 20 July 2024. (Photo: ©Muzi Ntombela / BackpagePix)

“That said, this squad includes a healthy mix of youth and experience, with most of these players having made a strong statement in the Springbok jersey this year.

“It’s also great to have RG, Franco, Andre and Damian back in the mix after recovering from their injuries, and we are excited to see what impact they have on the field, especially after their disappointment of missing out on the Rugby Championship.

“Damian, Andre and RG all returned to action in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and have made a strong statement with their performances.

“We all know what a workhorse Franco is and the quality that he adds to the team, so there’s no doubt they’ll want to make their presence felt against quality opposition in Scotland, England and Wales, who are all ranked within the top 11 sides in the world.”

Jersey jaunt

The squad – which will be led by Siya Kolisi – will depart for a training camp in Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands between England and France, on Sunday, 27 October.

The group will then make the journey to Edinburgh on Sunday, 3 November for their opening Test of the tour.

While this tour is straightforward on paper, sojourns through the northern hemisphere autumn are never easy.

England are currently the highest ranked of the Boks’ opponents in fifth position in the world rankings, with Scotland seventh and Wales 11th.

Erasmus expected a completely different challenge from the northern hemisphere teams to that which they faced against New Zealand, Argentina and Australia in the past few months.

“The Outgoing Tour is always a tough test because it marks the end of our international season and the beginning of their season,” said Erasmus.

“That said, the November internationals always present a good challenge for us because the teams we will line up against are among the top sides in the world and they play a different brand of rugby to that which we faced in the Rugby Championship, which we enjoy because it tests us in a different way and allows us to grow as a team.

“The conditions in the northern hemisphere are also different, which is a new challenge altogether, but we are excited about the tour and to see if we can build on what has been a rewarding season for the team so far.”

RG Snyman is wrapped up in a tackle by Andrew Porter and Josh van der Flier of Ireland during their clash at Kings Park Stadium in Durban on 13 July 2024. (Photo: ©Gerhard Duraan / BackpagePix)

No illusions

The Boks have an 80% win rate in 2024, losing two of their 10 Tests – each by a point against Ireland and Argentina. If they could win all three matches in the UK next month it could lift that winning ratio to 85%, which would match 2023’s effort when they won 11 out of 13 Tests, including the World Cup in France.

“We are under no illusions about the quality of the opposition we will face,” Erasmus said. “We have experienced first-hand how their home crowds lift them, much like our passionate supporters, so we know what it will take to be successful over there,” he said.

“Fortunately, we have a squad that believes in themselves and their abilities, and that will be vital as we enter these matches.

“Obviously we’ll take confidence from winning the Rugby Championship, but the reality is that’s now history, and there’s no doubt that will motivate the opposition even more to make a strong statement against us.”

Erasmus, however, took comfort from the fact that most of the players have had the luxury of facing northern hemisphere opposition in the URC and said that would prepare the players better for the challenge ahead.

“Our URC teams have all travelled to the northern hemisphere already, so many of these players have been exposed to the conditions and as well as some of the players they will face in November, which is certainly beneficial to us,” said the Bok coach.

“But that said, international rugby is a completely different kettle of fish and that always brings the best out of the teams, so we know it will take a massive effort to win over there.” DM

Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls).

Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks).

Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster).

Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (captain, Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

Utility forward: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls).

Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Sharks).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Stormers), Handrè Pollard (Leicester Tigers).

Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Damian Willemse (Stormers).

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Jersey jaunt

No illusions

Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour: