Powerhouse No 8 Juarno Augustus earns a first call-up from Rassie Erasmus, as one of 54 local and overseas-based players to attend the second Springbok alignment camp of 2025.
Augustus will join Sharks forward Vincent Tshituka and Varsity Cup-winning points machine Ntokozo Makhaza at their first national team indaba at the end of the month.
The camps will take place in person in Cape Town for 36 local players, and virtually for 18 players based outside of South Africa, on 22 and 23 May.
Augustus, who was named the World Rugby U20 Player of the Year after a powerful performances for the Junior Boks in Georgia in 2017, has been a standout player for the Northampton Saints this season, while the DRC-born Tshituka recently received his South African ID, clearing him to represent South Africa.
Winger Makhaza, meanwhile, will join the Cheetahs for the Currie Cup, after being named 2025 Varsity Cup Player of the Tournament, playing for the eventual champions, the UCT Ikeys.
The group includes eight uncapped players – Augustus, Tshituka, Makhaza, Renzo du Plessis, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Marnus van der Merwe, and Cobus Wiese.
Five players were not considered for the alignment camp due to injuries: Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie and Trevor Nyakane.
The camp will include a series of boardroom sessions over the two days as the Boks gear up for the international season, which kicks off on Saturday, 28 June with the first home game between South Africa and the Barbarians.
This will be followed by July Tests against Italy and Georgia, the Rugby Championship and the end-of-year tour to Europe in November.
“This is an exciting bunch of players who have all made their mark in their respective competitions this season, and we are thrilled to invite a few talented new players to the camp,” Erasmus said. “They have all made a strong statement in big competitions under immense pressure at times, so we are looking forward to working with them.
“It’s always difficult to reduce the size of the squad with the abundance of talent in South African rugby, but we were limited in the number of players we could select for the camp, and we are confident that we have sufficient cover in all positions within this group.
“The coaches and management staff have been working around the clock to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for what will be a challenging season, and all the operational and logistical aspects are in place for everything to run as smoothly as possible, so we are excited for the season ahead.”
Players invited to Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town:
Forwards: Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Vincent Tshituka (all Sharks) Neethling Fouche, Salmaan Moerat (both Stormers), Cameron Hanekom, Wilco Louw, Ruan Nortje, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Renzo du Plessis (both Lions), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Grant Williams .Makazole Mapimpi (all Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse (all Stormers), Quan Horn, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe (all Lions), Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie (both Bulls), Ntokozo Makhaza (Cheetahs)
Players invited to virtual Springbok alignment camp:
Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets).
Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Dynaboars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier).
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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