THE coach of the national men’s rugby team, Rassie Erasmus, has called a number of new players to the squad that will meet at the first camp of the year.
On Tuesday, the coach announced the list of 49 players who will meet in Cape Town from March 3 to 6, which includes those who have never played in the national team, and experienced players who have won the World Cup twice.
Of the 11 players who have never played an official game for the Springboks, there are five who came from the Under-20 team that won the World Cup last year.
Erasmus said it is important to bring together seasoned players and those who are just making a name for themselves to share information.
Among the players from the Junior Boks are Riley Norton, Cheswill Jooste, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Kai Pratt and Markus Muller.
Some of the prominent players in this small group, Hashim Pead and Babelebe Hlekani, had trained with the Springboks last year.
Other players who are older but who will be in the camp for this type of Springboks are Emmanuel Tshituka, Jaco Williams, Paul de Villiers and Zachary Porthen.
In this camp, there will be a lot of focus on exercising in the gym and holding meetings where the coaches will explain to the players what they expect from them this season.
This camp will be followed by another one that will be conducted with modern technology where players from other countries will be interviewed.
“This is a good group of players who have proven themselves playing for their teams. We are proud that we have been able to invite young players who have started playing exciting rugby so that they can have the opportunity to learn how to do things in a big national team,” said Erasmus.
“The coaches and leaders of the team have worked hard to ensure that the players will arrive ready so that everything can happen on time before the start of the season.”
Players called up to the Springboks camp
Main: Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Ox Nche, Kai Pratt, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Johan Grobbelaar, Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw, Siphosethu Mnebebele, Ruan Nortje, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Cobus Wiese, Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon, Neethling Fouche, Frans Malherbe, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Salmaan Moerat, Riley Norton, Zachary Porthen, Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Bathobele Hlekani, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter (Lions).
Backers: Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Makazole Mapimpi, Edwill van der Merwe, Grant Williams, Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sebastian de Klerk, Cheswill Jooste, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Markus Muller, Cobus Reinach, Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Quan Horn, Haashim Pead, Morne van den Mountain (Lions).