Rassie Erasmus has named a 43-man Springbok squad bolstered by the return of ten injured players as South Africa turn their attention from a successful Nations Championship campaign to the Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires on 8 August and the inaugural four-match Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand.

Key squad news

• Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu are among ten fit-again players recalled to the squad
• World Cup-winning fly-half Handré Pollard also returns alongside locks Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert
• Five players — Ntuthuko Mchunu, Evan Roos, André-Hugo Venter, Embrose Papier and Jaco Williams — released to their franchises for midweek matches against the All Blacks
• Vusi Moyo retained as one of four fly-halves after his first starting opportunity against Wales
• Ruben van Heerden, who debuted against Wales last Saturday, placed on standby after his move to Montpellier
• Squad will be split into two groups: one to travel to Argentina, the other to remain in Johannesburg preparing for New Zealand

The squad, which will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday, represents a significant strengthening of Erasmus’s resources after a home leg of the Nations Championship in which South Africa recorded victories over England, Scotland and Wales but were forced to navigate lengthy injury lists across key positions.

The returning players read like a roll call of Springbok royalty. Etzebeth and De Jager, neither of whom has worn the green and gold this season, bolster a lock department that has been stretched in their absence. Captain Kolisi, who last featured in the opening match against the Barbarians in Port Elizabeth, adds his considerable leadership and physicality to the loose forwards. Mostert, listed among the utility forwards for his ability to cover both second row and blindside flanker, also returns having been limited to that single Barbarians appearance.

The most eagerly anticipated comeback, however, is that of Feinberg-Mngomezulu. The gifted fly-half has been sidelined since sustaining an injury towards the end of the Vodacom URC season and his return gives Erasmus a genuine selection headache at ten. Pollard, the double World Cup-winning pivot, is also back after missing the final Test of the home leg against Wales — a match in which the uncapped Moyo seized his first starting opportunity in the 43-0 victory in Durban.

Moyo’s retention as one of four fly-halves in the group, alongside Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Pollard and Manie Libbok, is a notable endorsement. His performances in training and across his two appearances — against the Barbarians and starting against Wales — have clearly satisfied Erasmus that the Sharks playmaker warrants continued involvement at this level.

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 18: Vusi Moyo of South Africa with the ball during the 2026 Nations Championship match between South Africa and Wales at Kings Park Stadium on July 18, 2026 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag – Nations Championship/Nations Championship via Getty Images)

Elsewhere in the backs, André Esterhuizen returns after being concussed as a replacement against England before dropping out of the squad entirely. The hybrid centre-flanker joins the established midfield pairing of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel as one of just three specialist centres, though the versatility of Canan Moodie, Ethan Hooker and Damian Willemse — all of whom have international experience in midfield — gives Erasmus ample cover. Both Moodie and Hooker are also among the returning injured, as is scrum-half Morné van den Berg, whose fitness accounts for the omission of Papier from the 43.

At scrum-half, Herschel Jantjies appears to have edged ahead in the race for the back-up role behind Cobus Reinach. The Bayonne-based former Stormers half-back did enough with his second-half substitution in the Wales demolition to convince Erasmus he can reprise the kind of impact role he played at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He joins Reinach, Van den Berg and Grant Williams in a four-man group.

Erasmus’s decision to release five players to their franchises is characteristically calculated. Mchunu, Roos and Venter — all Stormers — along with Papier of the Bulls and Williams of the Sharks will be available for the midweek tour matches against the All Blacks during the Greatest Rivalry series. Those fixtures offer a shop window that Erasmus intends to use.

“We put a lot of thought into how we will manage the entire group of players to give everyone a chance to stake a claim for places in the squad for the RGR series, and we decided that splitting the squad into two groups will be best for the Springbok team and the players to play their way into the squad,” said Erasmus.

“Some players are returning from injury and need some valuable game time, so depending on how they progress from their injuries during next week’s training camp, we will decide who we will take to Argentina, while the other guys in the 43-man squad will remain behind in Johannesburg with a group of coaches and management to begin preparing for the Tests against New Zealand.”

The released players, Erasmus stressed, remain firmly in his thinking. “The players released to their franchises, meanwhile, will also have an opportunity to face the All Blacks in their respective midweek games if they are selected, which will be invaluable for them once we decide on the final squad for RGR, so we see this as a win-win situation for the team and players.”

The only player from the Nations Championship squad to miss out entirely is lock Ruben van Heerden, who earned his Test debut in the victory over Wales in Durban last Saturday. Van Heerden’s recent move from the Stormers to Montpellier means he has been placed on standby while he settles at his new club rather than being brought into either group. Given the injury concerns that have plagued the second row in recent months, however, a recall remains a distinct possibility.

The forward pack is configured with notable flexibility. Only two specialist hookers — Malcolm Marx and Johan Grobbelaar — have been named, but the presence of Marco van Staden and Jan-Hendrik Wessels among the utility forwards provides emergency cover at two. Pieter-Steph du Toit, Vincent Tshituka and Cobus Wiese complete that utility group, giving Erasmus the positional elasticity he has increasingly favoured.

Erasmus was careful to acknowledge the challenge awaiting in Buenos Aires, where Argentina’s Pumas have historically proven difficult opponents. The two sides have met annually in the Rugby Championship, and the Pumas also emerged from the Nations Championship with credit after competitive matches against Scotland and England, plus a victory over Wales.

“They are a quality team, and they have proved that in our previous clashes,” said Erasmus. “In fact, they defeated us in Argentina the last time we faced them there in 2024, so we know how tough it is to win there, and we intend to take a quality team to Buenos Aires.”

The squad will train in Johannesburg for a week before the travelling party departs for Argentina in two groups the following Sunday and Monday. After the Buenos Aires Test, attention will shift rapidly to the Greatest Rivalry series — four Tests against the All Blacks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg (22 August), DHL Stadium in Cape Town (29 August), FNB Stadium in Johannesburg (5 September), and the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA (12 September).

It is a schedule that will test the depth of even the strongest squad in world rugby. Erasmus, true to form, appears to have planned for precisely that.

Springbok squad

Props: Thomas du Toit (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (DHL Stormers), Ox Nché (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers), Carlü Sadie (Bordeaux Bègles), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears).

Locks: Lood de Jager (Saitama Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortjé (Kubota Spears).

Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers (DHL Stormers), Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Siya Kolisi (DHL Stormers), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls).

Scrum-halves: Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne), Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers), Morné van den Berg (Fidelity ADT Lions), Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers).

Fly-halves: Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Handré Pollard (Vodacom Bulls).

Centres: Damian de Allende (Saitama Wild Knights), André Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside and utility backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars), Aphelele Fassi (Toshiba Brave Lupus), Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Fidelity ADT Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (DHL Stormers), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).

Released to franchises for RGR: Ntuthuko Mchunu (DHL Stormers), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), André-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers), Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Embrose Papier (Vodacom Bulls).

Standby: Ruben van Heerden (Montpellier).

Felix Jones has returned to the Springboks coaching set-up in what represents a significant coup for South African rugby as head coach Rassie Erasmus bolsters his backroom staff with a tactician who helped engineer back-to-back World Cup triumphs.

Felix Jones will rejoin the #Springboks management as Rassie Erasmus confirmed his support team on Thursday – more here: https://t.co/gHvHKZHmht 🏉#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/CNJ5O8I7Jk

— Springboks (@Springboks) February 27, 2025

Jones, who left the Springboks after their 2023 World Cup victory in France to join England’s coaching staff, will resume his role as an assistant coach from 1 March following his departure from the England regime. The announcement, made on Thursday by SA Rugby, sees the Dubliner return to a system where he previously flourished, having been instrumental in South Africa’s global dominance in recent years.

Erasmus, who has meticulously constructed his support team ahead of the next World Cup cycle, made no attempt to downplay the significance of Jones’s return. “We are delighted to welcome Felix back into the Springbok team and we are excited to see him pick up where he left off in 2023,” said Erasmus.

“He was a vital cog in the coaching team from 2019 to 2023, and his experience, professionalism, and excellent work ethic will make him a great addition to the fantastic coaching team we built from the beginning of 2024.”
The 37-year-old former Ireland international’s appointment is part of a broader announcement that also includes the addition of Lance Lemmetjies as a physiotherapist and Robyn Moore as team dietician, with all three appointments extending through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

During his previous stint with the Springboks, Jones fulfilled a crucial role with the coaching staff while conducting detailed opposition analysis – work that proved invaluable during both successful World Cup campaigns.

His return sees him join a coaching team that already includes another Irishman in Jerry Flannery, who was appointed as defence coach in early 2025. “Felix worked very closely with most of our coaches in the past, and I have no doubt he’ll work equally closely with Jerry (Flannery) and Tony (Brown), who joined us last season,” Erasmus added.

Jones made the decision to move to England after the 2023 World Cup to be closer to his family in the UK, as noted in the SA Rugby statement. Despite this previous departure, Erasmus believes Jones’s experience during this period will prove beneficial to the Springboks.

“After spending some time in England, his experience of working in the UK and studying the opposition teams in the Six Nations and other international tournaments will add immense value in assisting us to adapt and improve as we cast an eye on a tough international season ahead,” he said.

The timing of Jones’s return is significant, with the Springbok coaches set to host their first in-person planning session for the year from 7 March, followed by an alignment camp with 56 players in Cape Town from 10 March. Further virtual alignment camps with Japanese and European-based players, along with selected domestic talents, will take place on 27 March.

Jones rejoins a comprehensive management team that features Tony Brown as attack coach alongside Deon Davids, Daan Human, Mzwandile Stick, and former Springboks captain Duane Vermeulen in a “Mobi-Unit Coach” role. The structure reflects Erasmus’s philosophy of surrounding himself with specialists while maintaining overall strategic control.

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer expressed confidence that Jones’s return would strengthen an already formidable coaching group. “We all know the value that Felix added to the team during his time with the Springboks and we are confident his presence will strengthen the coaching group even further,” he said.

“The management team behind the scenes plays an equally important role in ensuring that the team functions optimally from a player welfare and operational perspective so that the players have everything they need to perform to the best of their ability on the team, so it’s fantastic that Lance and Robyn are also on board to impart their knowledge and expertise. We believe these additions to the team will benefit Rassie and his support staff immensely.”

For South Africa, the reappointment of Jones signals their intent to remain at rugby’s summit. As Erasmus noted: “As a team we are well aware that we need to keep improving and growing if we want to remain one of the best teams in the world and to give ourselves the best possible chance to defend our World Cup title in Australia in 2027, and Felix, like all the other coaching and support staff, will play a key role in guiding us to do so.”

With Jones’s appointment, Erasmus has effectively reassembled key components of the coaching brain trust that masterminded consecutive World Cup victories, while simultaneously incorporating fresh perspectives through newer additions like Brown and Flannery. This blend of continuity and innovation suggests South Africa are leaving nothing to chance as they plot their path towards an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup triumph in 2027.

For Jones himself, the return to South Africa represents a homecoming of sorts, rejoining a coaching environment where his analytical skills and tactical acumen were not just valued but instrumental in creating rugby history. The Irishman now finds himself back in a set-up where his specific talents have already proven so effective on the game’s grandest stage.

South African rugby stalwart Steven Kitshoff has been forced to end his illustrious career at the age of 33, following specialist medical advice regarding a serious neck injury that nearly claimed his life. The double World Cup-winning prop, known for his distinctive red hair and formidable presence in the front row, made the announcement on Tuesday after an extensive rehabilitation process failed to restore sufficient mobility to his neck.

The end of an era. What a journey it has been with @StevenKitshoff 🩶💙

Full announcement https://t.co/vuluraHUsm#iamastormer #kitsie pic.twitter.com/sLFKRNkVIP

— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) February 25, 2025

Kitshoff sustained the potentially catastrophic injury during a Currie Cup match for Western Province last year. What seemed initially like a pulled muscle revealed itself to be something far more serious. “It was just another scrum, then three cracking noises – pop, pop, pop,” Kitshoff told Rapport newspaper. “I kept playing, thinking it was a pulled muscle. But now I know, I was two millimetres away from catastrophe, from death.”

Kitshoff’s journey to rugby stardom began early, with the front-row powerhouse first called into the Stormers squad as an 18-year-old, requiring special permission to train with the senior team at such a young age. He made his debut for the Cape Town franchise in 2011 and quickly established himself as a considerable force in the front row.

After developing into a breakout star for South Africa’s U20 team during their triumphant 2012 Junior World Championship campaign, the Paul Roos Gymnasium alumnus cemented himself as a dominant force at senior level. He played a key role in Western Province’s Currie Cup triumph that same year, signalling the arrival of a special talent.

His remarkable skills earned him a move to Bordeaux-Bègles in 2015, where he further honed his craft in the French Top 14 before returning to South Africa in 2017. Kitshoff would later add another overseas stint to his CV with a term at Ulster during the 2023-2024 season, before returning to the Stormers in July 2024 – a homecoming that was intended to be the final chapter of his playing career.

Kitshoff earned his first Springbok cap against Ireland in 2016 and went on to establish himself as a cornerstone of the national team’s fearsome forward pack. Despite starting just 29 of his 83 Test appearances, his impact was immense – particularly as a founding member of the renowned “Bomb Squad”, South Africa’s powerful replacement front row that proved decisive in many Test matches.

Initially an understudy to Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira leading up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Kitshoff succeeded the legendary Bok centurion to make the number one jersey his own. He was instrumental in South Africa’s World Cup victories in both Japan 2019 and France 2023, powering the Springbok scrum to glory at the latter tournament as a starter in the final.

His international achievements also include a victorious British & Irish Lions series win in 2021, further cementing his status as a key figure in Springbok history. Known for his superhuman engine and rare breakdown ability for a prop, his teammates affectionately nicknamed him “Spicy Plum” and “Big Red”.

At club level, Kitshoff’s leadership qualities came to the fore when he captained the Stormers to a historic United Rugby Championship title in 2022. His 138 caps for the Cape Town-based franchise make him the third-most capped player in the club’s history, behind only fellow props Brok Harris and Frans Malherbe.

Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson paid tribute to Kitshoff’s contribution: “Steven Kitshoff is an iconic player who will go down as one of the greats of our game. Beyond his undeniable impact on the field and impressive longevity, Steven stands out as a top human being who treated everyone with respect and always remained firmly grounded.”

The devastating injury that ultimately forced Kitshoff’s retirement required stabilising surgery after initial conservative therapy proved insufficient. Following the procedure to fuse his C1 and C2 vertebrae and an extensive rehabilitation process, specialists delivered the sobering news: Kitshoff was left with significantly reduced rotation of his neck – reportedly losing about 50% of his neck mobility.

The advice from a specialist neurosurgeon was unequivocal – there would be a high risk of another, potentially catastrophic injury should he continue playing. The specialist’s words to Kitshoff were chilling: “Listen, you’re lucky we didn’t bury you in a week, because the vertebra that shifted is so close to my brain canal.”
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Reflecting on the difficult decision to retire, Kitshoff said: “Playing rugby has been my life from a young age and I was lucky enough to live the dream of many young boys by representing the Springboks and the DHL Stormers. It is obviously incredibly disappointing for my career to end in this way, but unfortunately the risk to my wellbeing was simply too high.”

He added: “I really wanted to finish my story with the DHL Stormers on the pitch and gave the rehab and comeback the best shot I could, but it was not to be.”

The prop expressed gratitude to those who supported him throughout his career: “There are so many people who have provided incredible support for me over the years, not least my wife Aimee and my parents. I will always be grateful to all of the coaches, teammates and support staff at both the DHL Stormers and SA Rugby and of course the fans who have had such a big impact on my career.”

Despite the premature end to his playing days, Kitshoff remains positive about the future: “As much as I will miss playing and the special feeling of running out to represent something much bigger than myself, I am also looking forward to an exciting new chapter in my life. I’ll be there at DHL Stadium cheering the boys on, just like I did as a youngster. I walk away from my playing days with so many incredible memories that I will cherish forever.”

Kitshoff’s retirement represents a significant loss for both the Stormers and the Springboks. His combination of technical excellence at the set-piece, remarkable work rate around the field, and leadership qualities made him a rare and valuable asset. While South Africa’s renowned front-row depth will help mitigate his absence at international level, the void left by his experience and consistency will be challenging to fill.

For the Stormers, losing a player of Kitshoff’s calibre and status is a substantial blow. As the talisman who led them to their first major trophy in the professional era, his influence extended far beyond his on-field contributions. His retirement marks the end of an era for the Cape Town franchise and leaves a leadership vacuum in their pack.

John Dobson perhaps best summed up Kitshoff’s legacy: “He started out as a prodigy and proved himself against the best in the world. He will be remembered as a fantastic rugby player and a credit to his family. Playing for the Springboks and the DHL Stormers meant a lot to him and that passion and love was given back to him by the fans.”

While his playing days may have come to a premature end, Steven Kitshoff’s influence on South African rugby will endure for years to come. From his early days as a prodigious talent to his final act as a world champion, the man known as “Big Red” leaves behind a legacy defined by excellence, determination, and above all, a genuine love for the game.