Rassie Erasmus names 33-man Springboks squad for Rugby Championship finale
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has announced a familiar-looking 33-man squad for the final two rounds of the Rugby Championship, keeping continuity while battling a growing injury list. The Boks face Argentina in Durban next Saturday before a decisive clash at Twickenham a week later.
South Africa remain firmly in the title race, sitting second on the log with 10 points, level with New Zealand and just one point behind leaders Australia. Argentina trail by only a point, meaning the competition is wide open with every match now critical.
Injuries hit key positions
Erasmus will be without several senior players. Lock Lood de Jager, loose forward Jean-Luc du Preez, and fullback Aphelele Fassi were all sidelined after injuries on the New Zealand tour.
Other absentees include props Gerhard Steenekamp and Frans Malherbe, lock Salmaan Moerat, and star utility back Kurt-Lee Arendse, all still recovering. Despite the setbacks, Erasmus insists the squad retains balance and depth.
“We are blessed with talent in South Africa, so as sad as we are for players such as Lood, Jean-Luc, Aphelele, Kurt-Lee, and many others, we have capable guys to fill their boots,” said Erasmus in a statement.
Argentina pose stern challenge
Argentina head into the Durban clash brimming with confidence after edging Australia 28-26 last weekend. The Pumas have already beaten New Zealand in this year’s Championship and stunned the Boks in Santiago del Estero last season.
Erasmus acknowledged the danger of their South American rivals:
“They have quality forwards and backs, and they play with guts and passion. We know it will take two great performances to beat them and hopefully reclaim the Championship title. Any team can still win the competition, so there is no margin for error, and every point will count.”
Full 33-man Springboks squad
Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese
Backs: Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams
What this means for the Boks
With injuries stripping away some proven performers, Erasmus will rely heavily on squad versatility. The likes of Damian Willemse, Canan Moodie, and Kwagga Smith provide options across multiple positions, a factor that could prove decisive in a tournament this tight.
The Durban Test against Argentina is shaping up as a must-win if South Africa hope to lift the Rugby Championship trophy. Victory would set up a blockbuster finale at Twickenham.
Check also: How Springboks Thrashed All Blacks to Stay No. 1 in World Rugby Rankings
The Rugby Championship is delicately poised, with all four teams still in the hunt. Erasmus’ faith in continuity may give the Boks the edge, but Argentina’s resilience ensures nothing will come easy.
Do you think the Springboks have enough depth to reclaim the Rugby Championship despite their injuries? Share your views in the comments.
