Rassie springs a surprise as rookie gets added to Bok mix
NEWS: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has invited a group of 26 players to the first virtual Springbok alignment camps of the year on March 27.
The group consists mainly of overseas-based players, as well as some talented youngsters and injured players.
The virtual camp will follow the first in-person camp in Cape Town from Monday 10 to Wednesday 12 March.
Erasmus along with his assistant coaches and management team will host two virtual sessions on the day – one with the Japanese-based players and the other with the players playing in the Northern Hemisphere and domestically – to accommodate their respective time zones.
The only new player in this group is young Stormers centre Jonathan Roche, who earns his first invitation to a Bok alignment camp, with the other five locally based players having either worn the Springbok jersey or been invited to an alignment camp before.
In addition to this group, 56 players have been invited to the Cape Town camp.
A total of 18 World Cup winners have been included in the virtual alignment camp group, with another four capped Springboks also in the group.
And a few returning from the Test wilderness 👀👇🏻https://t.co/ussgbFAKYS
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“It is vital for us that all the players on our radar are exposed to our plans and goals for the season, so we intend to replicate our presentations to the group in Cape Town with these players, so everyone is on the same page as we embark on this challenging season,” said Erasmus.
“With a wide group of players invited to the respective alignment camps, we are excited to grow our player base and expose all these individuals to the national structures, as well as to explain what our expectations are of them for the forthcoming season.
“Many of these players have won a World Cup before, but we made it clear before the 2023 showpiece in France that we have to continue adapting and improving to remain at the top of our game – not only this season but also as we build toward the 2027 World Cup in Australia.”
Erasmus said options are being investigated for a match prior to the Incoming Series, when the Boks take on Italy in back-to-back Tests on 5 and 12 July, followed by a clash against Georgia on 19 July.
The Boks will then defend their Rugby Championship title against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina between August and October, before the traditional Outgoing Tour in November.
Players invited to the virtual Springbok alignment camps (in alphabetical order): Kurt-Lee Arendse (Dynaboars), Damian de Allende, Lood de Jager (both Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Eagles), Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier), Herschel Jantjies (Stormers), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Cheslin Kolbe (Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Eagles), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Trevor Nyakane (Sharks), Malcolm Marx (Spears), Siya Masuku (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Heat), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Jonathan Roche (Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Nico Steyn (Lions), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
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