Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a 33-man squad for South Africa’s final two Castle Lager Rugby Championship fixtures against Argentina in Durban on September 27 and London on October 4.
Erasmus has kept faith in the core group that delivered a historic win over the All Blacks in Wellington, as the Boks push to retain their title.
The squad, which features 18 forwards and 15 backs, will assemble in Durban on Thursday after a short break following their return from New Zealand.
Injuries have ruled out key players including Lood de Jager, Jean-Luc du Preez, and Aphelele Fassi, as well as Gerhard Steenekamp, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, and Kurt-Lee Arendse.
However, Erasmus remains confident in the depth of his group, with the possibility of up to three more players being added later this week before a contingent of 30 heads to London.
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With the Rugby Championship standings finely poised Australia on 11 points, the Springboks and All Blacks tied on 10, and Argentina close behind with nine the final two rounds will be decisive.
“This group of players have been together for over 13 weeks now, and they’ve shown that they are the right players for this big task against the Pumas,” said Erasmus.
Springbok squad for the Argentina leg of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship
Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
