Rassie Erasmus announced his first Rugby Championship squad ahead of the 2018 tournament that begins on the 18th August against Argentina at Durban’s Kings Park.
Siya Kolisi will retain the captaincy despite returns to the squad for former skippers, Eben Etzebeth and Warren Whiteley.
The world’s most in-form Hooker, Malcolm Marx also returns to the squad after a hamstring injury curtailed his chances of facing England in June.
Three new caps will also join the squad with DHL Stormers’ mercurial fly half Damian Willemse joining loose forwards Cyle Brink and Marco van Staden of the Lions and Bulls respectively.
Many European based players such as Willie le Roux and Faf de Klerk keep their places as veteran openside Francois Louw from Bath Rugby in England re-joins the squad despite minimal game time last season.
One of the Springbok’s most inspirational players from the June international series, Duane Vermeulen, is unavailable for selection after joining Japanese side Kubota Spears in June.
Springboks 35 Man Squad for 2018 Rugby Championship:
Forwards (20):
- Cyle Brink (Loose forward, Emirates Lions, uncapped)
- Jean-Luc du Preez (Loose forward, Cell C Sharks, 13, 10 – 2t)
- Thomas du Toit (Prop, Cell C Sharks, 4, 0)
- Pieter-Steph du Toit (Lock / Loose forward, DHL Stormers, 36, 20 – 4t)
- Eben Etzebeth (Lock, DHL Stormers, 67, 15 – 3t)
- Steven Kitshoff (Prop, DHL Stormers, 27, 5 – 1t)
- Siya Kolisi (captain – Loose forward, DHL Stormers, 31, 20 – 4t)
- Francois Louw (Loose forward, Bath, England, 57, 45 – 9t)
- Wilco Louw (Prop, DHL Stormers, 7, 0)
- Frans Malherbe (Prop, DHL Stormers, 19, 0)
- Malcolm Marx (Hooker, Emirates Lions, 14, 15 – 3t)
- Bongi Mbonambi (Hooker, DHL Stormers, 16, 5 – 1t)
- Franco Mostert (Lock, Emirates Lions, 21, 5 – 1t)
- Tendai Mtawarira (Prop, Cell C Sharks, 101, 10 – 2t)
- Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Loose forward, DHL Stormers, 4, 0)
- Marvin Orie (Lock, Emirates Lions, 1, 0)
- RG Snyman (Lock, Vodacom Bulls, 3, 0)
- Akker van der Merwe (Hooker, Cell C Sharks, 3, 0)
- Marco van Staden (Loose forward, Vodacom Bulls, uncapped)
- Warren Whiteley (No 8, Emirates Lions, 17, 15 – 3t)
Backs (15):
- Lukhanyo Am (Centre, Cell C Sharks, 3, 0)
- Ross Cronjé (Scrumhalf, Emirates Lions, 10, 10 – 2t)
- Faf de Klerk (Scrumhalf, Sale Sharks, England, 14, 5 – 1t)
- Aphiwe Dyantyi (Wing, Emirates Lions, 3, 5 – 1t)
- André Esterhuizen (Centre, Cell C Sharks, 2, 0)
- Elton Janjies (Flyhalf, Emirates Lions, 26, 215 – 2t, 41c, 41p)
- Jesse Kriel (Centre, Vodacom Bulls, 32, 45 – 9t)
- Willie le Roux (Fullback, Wasps, England, 44, 55 – 11t)
- Makazole Mapimpi (Wing, Cell C Sharks, 1, 5 – 1t)
- Lionel Mapoe (Centre, Emirates Lions, 12, 0)
- Lwazi Mvovo (Wing, Cell C Sharks, 17, 30 – 6t)
- Embrose Papier (Scrumhalf, Vodacom Bulls, 2, 0)
- Handré Pollard (Flyhalf, Vodacom Bulls, 29, 246 – 3t, 42c, 46p, 3d)
- Ivan van Zyl (Scrumhalf, Vodacom Bulls, 3, 0)
- Damian Willemse (Flyhalf, DHL Stormers, uncapped)
