By Marco Jacobs | Kairos Sport
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has rewarded six promising players with their first senior national call-ups, naming a 37-man squad for South Africa’s November Nations Championship campaign.
Yaqeen Ahmed, Sebastian de Klerk, Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Riley Norton and Emmanuel Tshituka headline the squad as the world champions prepare for three demanding Tests against Italy, France and Ireland, followed by the Nations Championship Finals Weekend in London.
The selection reflects Erasmus’ continued commitment to building depth within the Springbok squad while maintaining a strong core of experienced international players.
Six new faces ready for the international challenge
Although all six players are uncapped at senior Test level, they are familiar with the Springbok environment.
Ahmed, Giliomee, Muller and Tshituka represented the SA ‘A’ team against Zimbabwe. Norton, a former Junior Springbok captain, featured for the Boks against the Barbarians earlier this season, while De Klerk attended the national alignment camp last year.
Erasmus believes their consistency at franchise level over the past two seasons has earned them the opportunity.
“We’ve had all six players on our radar for a while now, and they’ve delivered consistently for their respective franchises in the last two seasons, so they thoroughly deserve their call-ups,” said Erasmus.
The Bok coach added that the coaching staff had already seen what most of the players could offer through training camps and the opening matches of the season.
Building squad depth remains a key priority for the Springboks, particularly as they navigate an increasingly demanding international calendar.
“All those players have shown that they have what it takes to compete at top franchise level,” Erasmus said.
He also highlighted the experience of Norton, Giliomee and Ahmed in Junior Springbok squads that won the Junior World Championship, while Giliomee has also represented the Blitzboks.
Erasmus acknowledged that stepping into elite international rugby would bring a different level of pressure but expressed confidence in the newcomers.
“There is no doubt facing some of the top teams in elite international rugby will be a completely different challenge, but we have full faith in them to do their best on tour.”
Injury setbacks for the Springboks
The Springboks will have to manage the absence of several experienced players, with Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Andre Esterhuizen and Handre Pollard ruled out through injury.
While losing players of their calibre is a setback, Erasmus believes the squad has sufficient cover and that their absence creates opportunities for others to make their mark.
“It’s always sad to lose players of that calibre, but we are pleased with the cover we have in those positions, and it also offers other players the opportunity to put up their hands,” he said.
The squad retains an experienced core, including captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende, alongside players who have contributed to South Africa’s successful campaign throughout the season.
The Boks finished top of the Nations Championship Southern Series in July after victories over England, Scotland and Wales. They were subsequently crowned inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry champions, with several squad members also featuring in the Tests against Argentina and Australia.
Italy, France and Ireland stand in the way
South Africa’s November campaign begins against Italy on 7 November, before Tests against France on 13 November and Ireland on 21 November.
The results will be crucial in determining the final Nations Championship standings and which teams advance to the Finals Weekend in London from 27 to 29 November.
The Springboks currently lead the Southern Hemisphere standings on points difference, level on 15 points with New Zealand.
Erasmus has warned against underestimating Italy, despite their 11th-place world ranking, pointing to the threat posed by playing away from home against a team eager to make an impression in the competition.
“Italy may be ranked 11th in the world at this stage, but they are a quality team who have tested us to the limit at times, so we will not be fooled by the standings,” he said.
France, ranked fourth in the world, will provide another stern examination. Recent encounters between the sides have been closely contested, including their dramatic 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, which South Africa won by a single point.
“It is never easy against them, and there have been times when we had to dig deep for the desired result,” Erasmus said, adding that another fiercely contested encounter was expected.
Ireland will be equally determined to make their mark. They have won four of the last six meetings between the sides, including their 2023 Rugby World Cup pool match. However, South Africa claimed victory in their most recent encounter in Dublin a year ago.
“Neither team will hold back,” Erasmus said.
Both France and Ireland have won two of their three Nations Championship matches to date and will be targeting a strong finish to the league phase.
Erasmus knows his team cannot afford to take their foot off the pedal.
“We need to be sharp, accurate, and adaptable in all our remaining matches to achieve the desired results if we want to finish the league stages as the top team.”
He added that every point would matter in a competition where the remaining fixtures could determine the final standings.
“This is an intense competition and every point counts, and every team we face as well as those in our pool will be wary of that, so we have a big job ahead, and it will be important to hit the ground running.”
The Springboks will assemble in Italy in groups on Sunday and Monday as preparations begin for the final stretch of the international season.
Springbok squad for the second leg of the Nations Championship
Props: Thomas du Toit, Ox Nche, Wilco Louw, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen, Gerhard Steenekamp.
Hookers: Malcolm Marx, Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Locks: Lood de Jager, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Nortje, Riley Norton, Franco Mostert.
Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers, Siya Kolisi, Cameron Hanekom, Emmanuel Tshituka, Jasper Wiese.
Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden.
Scrumhalves: Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams.
Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Luan Giliomee, Manie Libbok.
Centres: Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Markus Muller, Canan Moodie.
Outside backs: Sebastian de Klerk, Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian Willemse.
The bigger picture
For the Springboks, the November tour is about more than securing victories. It is also an opportunity to test the depth of the squad, introduce new talent to the demands of Test rugby and build momentum heading towards the Nations Championship Finals Weekend.
The six uncapped players have earned their opportunity through consistent performances, but the challenge ahead will be considerable. Against three formidable European opponents, they will have the chance to demonstrate whether they can translate their franchise form onto the international stage.
With the competition finely poised, South Africa will be looking to finish the league phase strongly and underline their credentials against some of the northern hemisphere’s leading sides.
Kairos Sport | By Marco Jacobs