Rassie Erasmus has named six uncapped players in a 46-man Springboks squad for the inaugural Nations Championship, with South Africa due to open against England in Johannesburg on Saturday, 4 July.
The official squad announcement confirmed Paul de Villiers, Riley Norton, Ruben van Heerden, Carlu Sadie, Vusi Moyo and Jaco Williams as the new faces in a group that blends emerging options with returning experience. Erasmus has also brought back a block of Vodacom Bulls players after their club commitments, giving South Africa a deeper pool before a demanding July run.
Springboks Add Fresh Options Before England Opener
According to SA Rugby’s official squad announcement, the Springboks will face England at Ellis Park before Tests against Scotland in Pretoria and Wales in Durban, followed by a trip to Argentina in August.
The selection is significant because Erasmus is not simply rewarding form from the Barbarians and SA A fixtures. He is building cover for a tournament that will test South Africa’s depth across consecutive international windows, while giving players such as Moyo and Norton a route into the senior setup.
For supporters, the immediate story is the balance: established names including Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Handre Pollard remain central, but the Springboks have now opened the door to a new group before the Nations Championship starts.
