Springbok hooker Johan Grobbelaar embraces Makazole Mapimpi in the Rugby Championship Test (Anton Geyser/Gallo Images)
- Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has released three players from his training squad in Mbombela to their local franchises ahead of the United Rugby Championship.
- Ben-Jason Dixon, Johan Grobbelaar and Canan Moodie have been released to the Bulls and Stormers, respectively.
- The Springboks are preparing for Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider against Argentina.
- For more Springbok news, visit News24 Sport’s dedicated rugby section.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has released three players from his training squad in Mbombela to their local franchises ahead of the United Rugby Championship (URC).
The Springboks are currently in the Nepruit preparing for Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider against Argentina at the Mbombela Stadium.
Ben-Jason Dixon, Johan Grobbelaar and Canan Moodie have been released to the Bulls and Stormers, respectively as the URC 2024/25 season kicks off in South Africa.
With sufficient cover in the squad should any injuries arise, Erasmus was comfortable to release the players to the Bulls (Grobbelaar and Moodie) and Stormers (Dixon) respectively for their season openers against Edinburgh and Ospreys respectively.
The Bulls face Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday (15:00), while Dixon will link up with the Stormers in Wales, where they will line up against Ospreys (20:30 SA time) in Bridgend.
“It would have been great for the players to remain with us and attend Saturday’s game in Nelspruit after their contributions to our Rugby Championship campaign,” said Erasmus.
“It would have been special for them if we tick the necessary boxes to win the tournament, but it’s important to do our bit to assist the domestic franchises in their URC campaigns.
“They have big games lined up, and every point in the competition counts, so we have no doubt the players will add immense value to their teams.”
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The Springboks currently hold a five-point lead on the standings over the Pumas in the Rugby Championship standings.
South Africa are only one log point or a defeat without Argentina securing a bonus point away from lifting the title for the first time since 2019.
Play on Saturday is at 17:00.
Springboks
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Elrigh Louw, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Lukhanyo Am