Powerhouse No 8 Juarno Augustus earns a first call-up from Rassie Erasmus, as one of 54 local and overseas-based players to attend the second Springbok alignment camp of 2025.
Augustus will join Sharks forward Vincent Tshituka and Varsity Cup-winning points machine Ntokozo Makhaza at their first national team indaba at the end of the month.
The camps will take place in person in Cape Town for local players, and virtually for players based outside South Africa, on Thursday, 22 May and Friday, 23 May respectively.
Thirty-six players will attend the in-person camp, with 18 players currently plying their trade abroad in Japan and the northern hemisphere joining virtually, training schedule permitting.
Augustus, who was named the World Rugby U20 Player of the Year after a powerful performances for the Junior Boks in Georgia in 2017, has been a standout player for the Northampton Saints this season, while the DRC-born Tshituka recently received his South African ID, clearing him to represent South Africa.
Winger Makhaza, meanwhile, will join the Cheetahs for the Currie Cup, after being named 2025 Varsity Cup Player of the Tournament, playing for the eventual champions, the UCT Ikeys.
The group includes eight uncapped players – Augustus, Tshituka, Makhaza, Renzo du Plessis, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Marnus van der Merwe, and Cobus Wiese.
Five players were not considered for the alignment camp due to injuries: Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie and Trevor Nyakane.
The camp will include a series of boardroom sessions over the two days as the Boks gear up for the international season, which kicks off on Saturday, 28 June with the first home game between South Africa and the Barbarians.
This will be followed by the Incoming Series, the Rugby Championship and the traditional end-of-the-year tour in November.
“This is an exciting bunch of players who have all made their mark in their respective competitions this season, and we are thrilled to invite a few talented new players to the camp,” Erasmus said.
“They have all made a strong statement in big competitions under immense pressure at times, so we are looking forward to working with them.”
“It’s always difficult to reduce the size of the squad with the abundance of talent in South African rugby, but we were limited in the number of players we could select for the camp, and we are confident that we have sufficient cover in all positions within this group,” he added.
“The coaches and management staff have been working around the clock to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for what will be a challenging season, and all the operational and logistical aspects are in place for everything to run as smoothly as possible, so we are excited for the season ahead.”
Players invited to Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town:
Forwards: Renzo du Plessis (Lions), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (all Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe (both Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Players invited to virtual Springbok alignment camp:
Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets).
Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Dynaboars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier).
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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