France’s dominance in rugby disappeared following their devastating World Cup loss. Did the Springboks’ triumph cause any long-term harm?
For a two-day alignment camp in March, the Springboks will come together for the first time since winning the Rugby World Cup in France in 2023. The Springboks coaching staff, under the direction of two-time Rugby World Cup champion Rassie Erasmus, will convene in the Mother City on Monday, March 4, for a two-day session to talk about their intentions for the 2024 campaign.
Given that he has chosen 43 players for this inaugural camp, Rassie Erasmus is undoubtedly testing his patience by looking at a number of domestic players who have clearly piqued his attention.Considering that, it is unexpected that Stormers loose forward Hacjivah Dayimani, who has shown extremely remarkable form throughout the first half of the URC season, will not be included in this initial camp.
While Aphelele Fassi has undoubtedly tried to improve on specific aspects of his game that might help him get back into the Springbok mix, he has also displayed some encouraging play for the Sharks.
Deon Fourie was missing from a roster that included a large number of players that were based in the area, which was one noteworthy finding about the squad release.
Meanwhile, it’s important to note that Erasmus has made an effort to stress that this alignment camp is the first of three that will take place before the Springboks build the groundwork for the international season on the pitch.
“Guys and ladies just some info,” he wrote on X. Remember that an alignment camp does not indicate that any one player will play for the Springboks alone this year! Every camp has a purpose, just as there have always been!
FULL LIST OF PLAYERS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER) CALLED BY RASSIE ERASMUS TO THE FIRST SPRINGBOK ALIGNMENT CAMP:
Forwards: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Celimpilo Gumede (Vodacom Bulls), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Toyota Cheetahs), Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Ruan Venter (Emirates Lions), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vo
Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jordan Hendrikse (Emirates Lions), Quan Horn (Emirates Lions), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Sanele Nohamba (Emirates Lions), Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions), Henco van Wyk (Emirates Lions), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).
BIG SEASON AHEAD
The Springboks’ July calendar includes two Test matches against Ireland and the opening international of the Incoming Series against Portugal.
The world champions will play two Tests in the Rugby Championship, one at home and one away, against Argentina. They will then play back-to-back Tests against Australia and New Zealand.
