Bok alignment camp acknowledges new faces

Rassie Erasmus’ announcement of 48 names to attend the first Springboks alignment camp may have caused some feverish excitement among rugby fans, but in reality it is simply a first step on a long journey to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Anyone who has been following Erasmus over the six years he has been involved with the Springboks knows that these alignments camps often aren’t close to the final selection for the Springbok test squads, and serve as an opportunity for the Bok management to meet and work with young players who have shown promise and for the players to get to know the methodology of the Springbok camp.

So while it is a nod of the cap to those selected, saying they have been noticed, the Springbok squad to face Ireland in the first test series later this year is likely to look very much like the one that won the World Cup in Paris in November, barring injury and a few exceptions.

Normally the names of the alignment camps aren’t made public, to prevent speculation and some hopes getting raised prematurely.



PLAYERS TO BE APPRAISED

For instance, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Marnus van der Merwe have both been invited to the camps, it is highly unlikely that come July they will be replacing Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx. That is simply logical.

Plus the UK, Ireland and French based Springboks aren’t involved, nor are some of the Japanese-based players. In the past there have been alignment camps without franchises such as the Stormers included because they were playing in a playoff match for the URC, for instance.

The camp is set from 4 March, after the next round of Vodacom United Rugby Championship derbies, and takes place over two days to plan out the season.

The group of 43 include 39 domestic players and four Japan-based players, who are currently injured and doing their rehabilitation in South Africa.

Nineteen individuals were members of the 2023 Rugby World Cup-winning team.

Some of those selected have been part of an SA A setup as well, including Sanele Nohamba, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Suleiman Hartzeberg.

New faces include Stormers captain Neethling Fouche, Andre-Hugo Venter, Bulls stars Johan Grobbelaar, Cameron Hanekom and Mpilo Gumede and Free State’s Marnus van der Merwe among the forwards while Jordan Hendrikse and Quan Horn are among the backline youngsters invited to the camp.

Commenting on the coaches’ strategic session, Erasmus said: “Jerry (Flannery) and Tony (Brown) are going to play vital roles in this coaching team, and we are excited to see them along with our other coaching staff put proper steps into action as we prepare for the challenging season ahead.”

Players invited to Springbok alignment camp:



Forwards: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Celimpilo Gumede (Bulls), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Evan Roos (Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Toyota Cheetahs), Ruben van Heerden (Stormers), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Ruan Venter (Lions), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls).



Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Suleiman Hartzenberg (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), Jordan Hendrikse (Lions), Quan Horn (Lions), Herschel Jantjies (Stormers), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Sanele Nohamba (Lions), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Henco van Wyk (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers).

– SuperSport/rugby