Springboks’ coach sticks with a strong squad as they prepare for back-to-back showdowns with the All Blacks
South Africa (28 August 2025) – Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is keeping faith with the team that kicked off the Castle Lager Rugby Championship with a strong showing against Australia, as they gear up for back-to-back Tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand next month. Out of the 38 players in last week’s squad, 36 have retained their spots for the next leg of the campaign, showing continuity and trust in the group.
The Springboks will face the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday, 6 September, and then at Sky Stadium in Wellington a week later. These matches are pivotal as South Africa looks to defend the Championship title they claimed last season, their first since 2019.
In terms of changes, injuries to wings Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe have opened the door for Makazole Mapimpi, who joined the team in Cape Town last week and will now make the trip to New Zealand. The only forward missing from the squad that faced Australia is utility forward Cobus Wiese, who is on standby. No 8 Jasper Wiese remains suspended but will be available for the Wellington clash.
Erasmus expressed his confidence in the squad’s preparation.
“This group of players have been working hard together since our first training camp in June… the newer players in the squad showed in the Castle Lager Incoming Series and in the last two matches against Australia that they are ready for this challenge,” he said.
The team is largely injury-free, with key players Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Willie le Roux, and Jan-Hendrik Wessels all medically cleared and ready to go.
Looking ahead, Erasmus acknowledges the challenge that awaits in New Zealand but is energised by it.
“The Castle Lager Rugby Championship is still wide open, so this tour is going to be vital for us, and we’ll certainly take confidence from the win against Australia last week when we board the plane,” he said.
He also highlighted the unpredictability of this year’s competition, with all top teams capable of winning on any given day.
The Springboks are gearing up for two big Tests, and with a strong, familiar squad and the confidence of recent wins behind them, Erasmus and his players are ready to bring their best and tackle the challenge head-on.
Sources: Springboks
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 