Springboks Lose 4 World Cup Winners to Injury for November Nations Championship Tour
- Rassie Erasmus faces a selection challenge as the Springboks prepare for four crucial end-of-season Tests
- Six uncapped players have been handed an opportunity to impress on the international stage
- South Africa's November campaign will test the squad's depth against three European opponents
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Source: Getty Images
SOUTH AFRICA — South Africa’s Springboks will head into their November Nations Championship fixtures without four key players, with Rassie Erasmus confirming that injuries have ruled them out for the rest of the season.
Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, André Esterhuizen and Handré Pollard will all miss the upcoming campaign, leaving the world champions without several experienced options for their European tour. The Boks are scheduled to face Italy, France and Ireland before the Nations Championship Finals Weekend, which takes place in London from 27 to 29 November 2026.
Six uncapped players named in 37-man squad
Erasmus named his 37-man touring squad on Wednesday, with six players receiving their first senior national call-ups. Yaqeen Ahmed, Sebastian de Klerk, Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Riley Norton, and Emmanuel Tshituka all feature for the first time as the Springboks look to blend experience with emerging talent.
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"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," Erasmus said, according to SA Rugby.
He said most of the selected players had been part of the Springboks setup for much of the season and understood the team's standards and the demands of international rugby. Erasmus added that he was pleased with the group chosen for this crucial stage of the campaign.
Springboks tied with New Zealand at top of standings
South Africa currently lead the Southern Hemisphere standings in the Nations Championship on points difference, level on 15 points with New Zealand. The Boks open the November schedule against Italy on 7 November, before taking on France on 13 November and Ireland on 21 November, with the Finals Weekend in London concluding the season from 27 to 29 November.
The squad draws heavily from Japanese club rugby, with players such as Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert, and Pieter-Steph du Toit all included despite featuring for overseas-based clubs. Siya Kolisi and Cobus Reinach return as part of a core group of experienced campaigners who have featured throughout the season.
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Cheslin Kolbe urges Springbok hopefuls to play sevens rugby
Briefly News also reported that Cheslin Kolbe has encouraged aspiring Springboks to consider sevens rugby, crediting the shorter format with helping him develop his game before establishing himself in international 15-a-side rugby.
The Springbok winger represented the Blitzboks in 2015 and 2016 before joining French club Toulouse.
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Source: Briefly News
