Springboks: Rassie Erasmus Names 6 Uncapped Players in 37-Man Nations Championship Squad
- Rassie Erasmus has named six newcomers in a 37-man Springbok squad for the Nations Championship
- Four experienced internationals have been ruled out through injury ahead of the November campaign
- South Africa faces Italy, France and Ireland before the Nations Championship Finals Weekend in London
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Source: Getty Images
Rassie Erasmus has named six uncapped players in a 37-man Springbok squad for the November Nations Championship Tests. The announcement on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, gives Yaqeen Ahmed, Sebastian de Klerk, Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Riley Norton and Emmanuel Tshituka their first senior national call-ups.
The newcomers will join experienced players, including captain Siya Kolisi, as South Africa prepares for three challenging matches against European opposition.
Six newcomers earn Springbok call-ups
According to the official Springboks announcement, all six players have previously been involved in the national set-up.
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Ahmed, Giliomee, Muller and Tshituka represented the SA ‘A’ team against Zimbabwe. Norton, a former Junior Springbok captain, played against the Barbarians earlier this season, while De Klerk attended a national alignment camp last year.
Erasmus said their performances had earned them the opportunity.
“We’ve had all six players on our radar for a while now, and they’ve delivered consistently for their respective franchises in the last two seasons, so they thoroughly deserve their call-ups,” he said.
Four Springbok stars ruled out through injury
Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, André Esterhuizen and Handré Pollard are unavailable because of injuries. Erasmus acknowledged the setback but backed the squad's depth to cover the absences.
“It’s always sad to lose players of that calibre, but we are pleased with the cover we have in those positions, and it also offers other players the opportunity to put up their hands,” he said.
Springboks prepare for Italy, France and Ireland
South Africa will face Italy on 7 November, France on 13 November and Ireland on 21 November. The Finals Weekend takes place in London from 27 to 29 November.
The Springboks and New Zealand are level on 15 points in the Southern Hemisphere standings, with points difference separating them.
Erasmus said the remaining fixtures would demand accuracy and adaptability as South Africa targets a strong finish to the league stage.
Source: Getty Images
Full Springbok squad for the Nations Championship
The following 37 players have been selected for the November campaign.
Props
- Thomas du Toit — Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Ox Nche — Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Wilco Louw — DHL Stormers
- Ntuthuko Mchunu — DHL Stormers
- Zachary Porthen — DHL Stormers
- Gerhard Steenekamp — Vodacom Bulls
Hookers
- Malcolm Marx — Kubota Spears
- Jan-Hendrik Wessels — Vodacom Bulls
Locks
- Lood de Jager — Wild Knights
- Salmaan Moerat — Stade Rochelais
- Ruan Nortje — Kubota Spears
- Riley Norton — DHL Stormers
- Franco Mostert — Honda Heat
Loose forwards
- Paul de Villiers — DHL Stormers
- Siya Kolisi — DHL Stormers
- Cameron Hanekom — Vodacom Bulls
- Emmanuel Tshituka — Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Jasper Wiese — Urayasu D-Rocks
Utility forwards
- Pieter-Steph du Toit — Toyota Verblitz
- Marco van Staden — Vodacom Bulls
Scrumhalves
- Cobus Reinach — DHL Stormers
- Morne van den Berg — 10bet Lions
- Grant Williams — Kobe Steelers
Flyhalves
- Yaqeen Ahmed — DHL Stormers
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu — DHL Stormers
- Luan Giliomee — Vodacom Bulls
- Manie Libbok — Kintetsu Liners
Centres
- Damian de Allende — Wild Knights
- Jesse Kriel — Canon Eagles
- Markus Muller — DHL Stormers
- Canan Moodie — Vodacom Bulls
Outside backs
- Sebastian de Klerk — Vodacom Bulls
- Aphelele Fassi — Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Ethan Hooker — Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Edwill van der Merwe — Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Kurt-Lee Arendse — Mitsubishi Dynaboars
- Damian Willemse — DHL Stormers
The squad combines established internationals with emerging talent as South Africa prepares for a demanding run of fixtures that will shape its position in the inaugural Nations Championship.
England dealt another setback ahead of November rugby Tests
Briefly News also reported that England have suffered a setback ahead of their November Nations Championship campaign, with South African-born centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg stood down from all rugby duties indefinitely following two significant concussions in three matches.
England coach Steve Borthwick confirmed that the 29-year-old had received specialist advice to undertake several weeks of non-contact training before returning to rugby.
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Source: Briefly News
