Seasoned Boks return as Rassie names large player group ahead of Pumas, All Blacks Tests

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a 43-man squad to gather in Johannesburg on Sunday as they begin their preparations for the Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires and the subsequent Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR) series against the All Blacks.

Erasmus recalled 10 seasons campaigners who make a welcome return from injury, namely Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager (locks), Franco Mostert (utility forward), Siya Kolisi (loose forward), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Handre Pollard (both flyhalves), Ethan Hooker, Canan Moodie (utility backs), Andre Esterhuizen (flanker and centre) and Morne van den Berg (scrumhalf).

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Erasmus also released five players who will represent their franchises in tour games against New Zealand. They are Ntuthuko Mchunu (prop), Evan Roos (No 8), Andre-Hugo Venter (hooker), Embrose Papier (scrumhalf) and Jaco Williams (wing).

Ruben van Heerden (lock), who made his Test debut against Wales in Durban last weekend, is not in the squad as he has been allowed to find his feet at his new French club Montpellier, whom he joined from the Stormers.

SA Rugby said Van Heerden would remain on standby for the Boks.

“We put a lot of thought into how we will manage the entire group of players to give everyone a chance to stake a claim for places in the squad for the RGR series, and we decided that splitting the squad into two groups will be best for the Springbok team and the players to play their way into the squad,” said Erasmus.

“Some players are returning from injury and need some valuable game time, so depending on how they progress from their injuries during next week’s training camp, we will decide who we will take to Argentina,