Rassie Erasmus has named his team early in the week as the Springboks prepare for their first game of the Rugby Nations Championship against England on Saturday.
The Springboks start their 2026 with a tricky test against England, who come into the match after a disappointing Six Nations, although they did finish with an encouraging performance against France, where it took a Thomas Ramos penalty in the final minute to win the Six Nations.
The Springboks team announced
This team, at first glance, feels incredibly strong and has a mix of some of the best players from all over the world.
Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph Du Toit, Jasper Wiese, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel and Cheslin Kolbe all come back from a quieter rugby season in Japan. Kolbe is due to return to play domestic rugby in South Africa next year with the Stormers.
Thomas Du Toit is also returning to South Africa to play for the Sharks next year, with a great season for Bath behind him. Kolisi captains the side in the back row, while Mannie Libbok comes in to start at 10.
Damian Willemse and Cheslin Kolbe will both play their 50th Springboks tests this weekend.
The bench takes a heavy Bulls look as they are still recovering after their URC final defeat to Leinster in Dublin last weekend.
Injury news
Erasmus also revealed that Franco Mostert and Lood de Jager miss out due to minor injury or illness, while Riley Norton will be unavailable for the remaidner of the window.
