Rugby season is back and Rassie Erasmus names 46-man group as six uncapped players earn their chance ahead of England opener in Johannesburg.
Johannesburg, South Africa (23 June 2026) – If you needed a reminder that the Springboks are back in full swing, Rassie Erasmus has just dropped a squad big enough to keep every rugby fan busy for weeks.
The Springboks are getting ready for the next chapter of their 2026 season, and there are a few new faces joining the ride. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a 46-player squad for the inaugural Nations Championship, with six uncapped players earning an opportunity to push for their first Test appearances.
This is a chance to see the world champions in action. For others, it’s an opportunity to get to know some of the players who could become the next generation of Springbok stars.
Among the newcomers are forwards Paul de Villiers, Riley Norton, Ruben van Heerden and Carlu Sadie, while backs Vusi Moyo and Jaco Williams have also been included after impressing in recent outings.
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The squad announcement follows a busy weekend for South African rugby. The Springboks thrilled fans in Gqeberha with a free-flowing win over the Barbarians.
Several of the players who featured in those matches have now been rewarded with places in the larger national squad. Think of Embrose Papier, who returns to the Springbok squad for the first time in eight years. Papier enjoyed an outstanding season for the Bulls and was recently named the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Season.
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“They all proved against the Barbarians and SA ‘A’ teams that they have what it takes to play at the highest level, and as coaches, we are fortunate that we’ve had the opportunity to work with them in the last two weeks,” said coach Rassie Erasmus.
The Nations Championship campaign begins against England in Johannesburg on 4 July, before matches against Scotland in Pretoria and Wales in Durban. A trip to Argentina later in the competition will round off a challenging run of fixtures.
It’s a blend of experience and exciting new talent, and as the season gets going, supporters can look forward to seeing how this mix comes together on the field.
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