
Springboks to play best against All Blacks in Rugby Championship
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will name a reduced squad of 36 players for opening two games of the Rugby Championship against Australia in due course. Picture: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
The Springboks will be unleashing close to their very best team against the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship, after giving 46 players a run during their first four games of their 2025 international campaign.
Over the past weekend the Boks' incoming series came to its end, which included two games against Italy in Pretoria (42-24) and Gqeberha (45-0), and a one-off Test against Georgia (55-10) in Mbombela, while they started their season against the invitational Barbarians (54-7) in Cape Town.
All 46 players picked in the squad for the opening four games got a run, with Evan Roos and Ethan Hooker getting the least amount of game time, with both playing just 24 minutes in the second Test against Italy.
Every other player at least played more than half a game of rugby, with five players playing once, including captain Siya Kolisi who missed the first three matches through injury, which means 39 players got two run outs or more over the opening four games.
Smaller Bok squad
A reduced squad of 36 players for the first two games of the Rugby Championship was set to be named on Tuesday, but it has now been delayed and will be revealed at a later date.
Speaking ahead of the Georgia game, Bok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick was asked when the management would be aiming to work with a smaller group of players that they would be focussing on going towards the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Stick explained that it was far too soon to be looking at a group that would be playing in that tournament Down Under, but that they would certainly be playing close to their current best group during the Rugby Championship.
'We definitely aren't looking that far ahead yet. Yes, we have a goal going up to 2027, but the main thing at the moment for us is focusing on this season and building our squad depth, while also still winning,' said Stick.
'Because at the end of the year there is a draw for the World Cup and we have to make sure we are in a good position for the draw. On the other side we want to achieve our goal for the season.
Tough games
'In the Rugby Championship we are going to have tough games against Australia (at home), New Zealand twice away from home and Argentina (home and away). So we probably will get close to our best possible 35 players that you will see in those (big) games.
'We aren't even thinking about who will be in the World Cup squad come 2027. If you look at some of the youngsters coming through, we are in a really good space. But the closest we will come to our best team will be in the Rugby Championship when we face the All Blacks.'
After the match against Georgia, coach Rassie Erasmus also admitted the Boks wouldn't be experimenting much in the Rugby Championship, and that a more settled and tried and tested group would be picked for the first two games against Australia, before another group is picked to go to New Zealand.
'Within that (Rugby Championship) squad, there'll be one or two guys that we experiment with, but the bulk of that squad will be experienced players who are suited to the way we want to play. The Rugby Championship is a step up to tier-two nations, the Barbarians, and the Italy matches,' explained Erasmus.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Maverick
5 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Proteas look to World Cup ambitions in their white-ball squads to face Australia
Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad's first full-strength white-ball squads indicate the thinking for the upcoming white-ball World Cups, with Reeza Hendricks dropped from the T20I side and Rassie van der Dussen culled from the ODI squad. Proteas all-format head coach Shukri Conrad has selected his first full-strength white-ball squads since taking over the role across formats. Conrad has kept regular captains Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma in their roles as T20I and One-Day International leaders respectively for South Africa's six-match white-ball series against Australia in August. Notably, it's the last squad that Conrad will select solely, across formats, with Cricket South Africa (CSA) appointing Patrick Moroney as convenor of selectors earlier this month, with his role starting officially on 1 August 2025. The 15-player T20 squad is close to what Conrad is looking to take to the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka at the start of next year, with four spinners selected, including Prenelan Subrayen, who will make his debut in the format if selected alongside Nqaba Peter, George Linde and Senuran Muthusamy. Conrad indicated that all four spinners are the front-runners for a spot in next year's T20 World Cup, with Keshav Maharaj, Bjorn Fortuin and Tabraiz Shamsi further down the pecking order. Longer-term view 'The 50-over side is a slightly longer-term view,' Conrad explained. 'Because we've got a couple of years before the 2027 World Cup (at home), but we've got a T20 World Cup happening in a couple of months time.' There are two glaring omissions in the ODI side, however, with Rassie van der Dussen's name only down for the shortest format, while David Miller was not selected in either squad. Despite Conrad saying — in his first press-conference as white-ball head coach — that players unavailable for bilateral series would not be considered for World Cups, Miller is being allowed to play in England's franchise tournament, The Hundred, which coincides with the tour. This is because the agreement with CSA for Miller to play in the tournament was made prior to Conrad's appointment. Van der Dussen, despite being one of the ODI team's most consistent players, seems to have numbered days in the format. The 36-year-old will be 38 when the tournament rolls around. 'I'm certainly not going to rule Rassie or any of the older guys out,' Conrad said. 'But it gives me — because we've got time before the 2027 World Cup — it gives me a chance to blood some of the younger players and then see how they develop. 'Then post the T20 World Cup, we'll probably be in a better position to decide on guys like Rassie and David.' Youngsters Conrad is currently in Zimbabwe with a much younger T20 squad looking to seal a tri-series victory in their final against New Zealand on Saturday. So far, they've lost twice against the Black Caps and won twice against Zimbabwe. 'I'm not making light of any of the other games, but I think the final on Saturday will give us a really good idea of where everybody's at,' Conrad said about the group of players he's been working with in the neighbouring country. 'But I'm really excited about the young talent we've got at our disposal, especially in the T20 format. They're players that can make huge impacts.' Of the youngsters in Zimbabwe, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Dewald Brevis have both cracked the nod for both squads to take on Australia, and Kwena Maphaka is in the T20 side. Thirty-five-year-old Reeza Hendricks, who has the third most runs for South Africa in the shortest format, also looks to have run his last race for the national side, with Saturday's match against New Zealand probably his last. 'Unfortunately, I think there are players that have flown past Reeza,' Conrad said. 'Reeza has been a great performer for South Africa, especially in this format. 'But it's no secret that Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickleton are my preferred opening batters. 'Then it makes it difficult for Razzle (Hendricks) to fit in. Guys that potentially could open the batting and bat in the middle, i.e. Rassie and Lhuan-dre, give you that cover as well if you need an opening bat. 'It's unfortunate that it's fallen this way on Reeza. But I just feel that there are other guys that give us better options.' DM Proteas T20I squad against Australia Aiden Markram (captain, Titans), Corbin Bosch (Titans), Dewald Brevis (Titans), Nandre Burger (Western Province), George Linde (Western Province), Kwena Maphaka (Lions), Senuran Muthusamy (Warriors), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Nqaba Peter (Lions), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Titans), Kagiso Rabada ( Lions), Ryan Rickelton (Lions), Tristan Stubbs (Warriors), Prenelan Subrayen (Dolphins) and Rassie van der Dussen (Lions). Proteas ODI squad against Australia Temba Bavuma (captain, Lions), Corbin Bosch (Titans), Matthew Breetzke (Warriors), Dewald Brevis (Titans), Nandre Burger (Western Province), Tony de Zorzi ( Western Province), Aiden Markram (Titans), Senuran Muthusamy (Warriors), Keshav Maharaj ( Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Titans), Kagiso Rabada (Lions), Ryan Rickelton (Lions), Tristan Stubbs (Warriors), and Prenelan Subrayen (Dolphins)


The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
Australia vs British Lions 2nd Test: Teams, kick-off time, prediction
Owen Farrell has been named on the British and Irish Lions' bench for the second Test against Australia at the MCG on Saturday. Image: AFP Owen Farrell was named on the British and Irish Lions' bench for the second Test against Australia, one of seven changes to the matchday 23 as the tourists look to clinch the series in Melbourne. Lock Ollie Chessum, prop Andrew Porter and centre Bundee Aki all come into the starting side in place of Ellis Genge, who drops to the bench, Sione Tuipulotu and Joe McCarthy. McCarthy is unfit after limping off with a foot injury in the Lions' 27-19 win in Brisbane last Saturday, while Tuipulotu misses out with a hamstring strain. ADVERTISEMENT Influential performance Farrell was overlooked for the opening Test, but captained the side against a First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday. He delivered an influential performance in his first full 80-minute game since April. Farrell replaces Marcus Smith, who was available for selection having passed a concussion test after suffering a head knock as a substitute against Pasifika. Ireland's Hugo Keenan retained his spot at fullback, with Scotland's Blair Kinghorn named as a replacement having proved his fitness against Pasifika. Wing Mack Hansen was touted as a strong contender for the bench, but has a foot injury. 'Feeling good' Head coach Andy Farrell revealed that Garry Ringrose had been originally selected in an all-Irish midfield with Aki, but withdrew after Thursday's training session with Scotland's Huw Jones coming back in. ADVERTISEMENT 'It's head related again,' Farrell said of Ringrose. 'There was no incident. He was feeling good. 'Players are getting very good at telling the truth of how they feel, so it was a no-brainer to make the change straight away.' After an upset loss to Argentina in Dublin, the Lions have won all seven games since arriving in Australia. Farrell's side can clinch a first Lions series win in 12 years with a game to spare at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where a crowd of 90 000 is expected. The Lions are coming off a bruising 24-19 win over the Pasifika side and are bracing for another physical contest with wet weather forecast. 'We have put ourselves in a good position after the first Test, but we know there will be a massive reaction from this Wallaby team,' said coach Farrell. 'Everyone saw the quality they have in Brisbane and we know we will have to be a lot better than we were last week. 'We're the privileged ones that get the opportunity to do something special and hopefully create a bit of history.' TEAMS Australia 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Carlo Tizzano, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Ben Donaldson British and Irish Lions 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 3 Tadgh Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 James Ryan, 20 Jac Morgan, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Blair Kinghorn Prediction British & Irish Lions to win by 9 points Date: Saturday, 26 July Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Kick-off: 12:00 (SA time) Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy) Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand) TMO: Eric Gauzins (France) How do you predict the match will end? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

The Herald
8 hours ago
- The Herald
Venter buzzing for more Bok Test action
Burly prop Boan Venter is buzzing for more outings in the green and gold jersey when the Springboks kick off their Rugby Championship campaign with back-to-back Tests against the Wallabies in August. Venter made a dream start to his Test career when he dived over for a try after eight minutes during the Boks' crushing 55-10 win against Georgia in Mbombela last week. Starting alongside fellow debutants Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouché, Venter played an important role in the emphatic victory. He was rewarded for his efforts by being named in a 37-man Springbok squad to face Australia in Johannesburg (August 16) and Cape Town (August 23). 'On the performance side, it was buzzing to have made my debut and get a try in there as well,' he said. 'We'll reflect on the performance in the review — there's always stuff you can improve on. But overall, just really happy to get on the pitch.' Venter, who joined Edinburgh from the Cheetahs in 2021, looked set to be called up to the Scottish squad after qualifying on residency rules for the 2026 Six Nations. 'From being a young boy playing rugby from about five or seven years old, it's every South African's dream to play for the Springboks, so when I got that call, that was it for me,' he said. 'At the end of the day, what counts is that I am here and it was so great to slot into this group. 'Everyone was so welcoming and helped us hit the ground running. 'Since the team was announced, we felt the support of the whole group. 'We jokingly call the Bok back five the V8, and you can feel the power coming through. 'As a group, we are tight and try to pick each other up and be supportive, and it played a massive role in giving us confidence leading up to the game. 'It's a level up from club rugby. 'Not much in terms of due process but it's definitely a level up. 'I wouldn't say it surprised me; it was just nice to see again how big rugby is in SA. 'It's inspirational to see a whole nation get behind a team and they know how much that support means to the team.' Bok coach Rassie Erasmus said Venter had not been chosen to block him from playing for Scotland. 'That didn't have an influence,' he said. 'It is nicer for us to see guys such as Duhan van der Merwe play for Scotland because he probably would not have got a chance from us. 'So, why would you choose a guy to block him?' 'We really went and looked at who was the next loose head in line, and he was on our radar.' Scotland coach Gregor Townsend would not be drawn on whether Venter would have been part of his plans if he had not played for the Boks. 'I think he's been one of the best players in the URC the last two or three years,' he said. 'This year was probably his best season. 'Whether it's the set-piece or his ball-carrying, he's really impressed. 'We wish him all the best. 'He's now embarking on an international career and it shows the quality of the player he is.' Asked whether he had any regrets relating to Venter's decision to play for SA, Townsend said: 'It's really hypothetical. 'He wasn't going to be available for a few months and it's hypothetical until it happens. 'It's not going to happen now.' The Herald