Rassie cuts Bok squad to 45 players: Pieter-Steph, Hendrikse brothers out
There is also a surprise call-up of former Cheetahs and current Edinburgh prop Boan Venter.
Edinburgh prop Boan Venter, who formerly played for the Cheetahs, has received a call-up to the Springbok squad for the match against the Barbarians and the Tests against Georgia and Italy next month.
The 28-year-old wasn't part of the two alignments camps hosted by coach Rassie Erasmus earlier this year and has never been a member of a Bok squad.
Erasmus on Sunday cut his training squad from 55 players to 45 for the upcoming matches.
With props Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu among six players released from the initial squad due to injuries, Erasmus drafted in Venter – a member of the Junior Springbok training group in 2017 – as the only new addition to his squad.
The other injured players released from the squad are Lukhanyo Am (centre), Pieter-Steph du Toit (utility forward), Cameron Hanekom, and Juarno Augustus (both No 8s), while another five players — Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf), Jordan Hendrikse (flyhalf), Quan Horn (fullback), Renzo du Plessis (flanker), and Ntokozo Makhaza (utility back) — have also been released to their unions.
Edinburgh's Boan Venter has been called up to the Bok squad. Picture: Mark Scates/SNS Group via Getty Images
Arrivals for Test season
The majority of the squad will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon to continue their preparations for the season, while the Bulls players, who battled it out with Leinster in the United Rugby Championship Grand Final on Saturday, will join their teammates on Monday evening, and RG Snyman on Tuesday afternoon.
The Premiership final players, Handre Pollard and Thomas du Toit, meanwhile, will report for duty this Monday and next Monday (initially for three days) respectively, while Venter will join the squad on Sunday 29 June.
'Our first week of training went well, and it offered us a chance to assess our depth and measure the level at which the players are currently, with an eye on the international season,' said Erasmus.
'We also took stock of the injuries and determined in which positions we needed cover, as well as those in which we have sufficient cover.
'There are a number of players out with long-term injuries, while others are set to return from injury in the next few weeks or months, so they will complete their rehabilitation at their clubs and franchises.
'In terms of the other players released, we feel we have good cover in those positions at this stage, but they are all on standby to join us at any time if we need to call on them.'
Commenting on Venter's call-up, Erasmus said: 'Boan has been consistent for Edinburgh in the URC and the EPCR Challenge Cup, and he is familiar with the South African structures after playing for the Cheetahs and coming through our junior ranks, so we are looking forward to seeing him in action on the field.'
The Springboks will kick off their season with a match against the Barbarians in Cape Town on Saturday 28 June.
Springbok squad:
Forwards: Lood de Jager, Jean-Luc du Preez, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Neethling Fouche, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Salmaan Moerat, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Evan Roos, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Vincent Tshituka, Marco van Stade, Marnus van der Merwe, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese, Jasper Wiese
Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
13 hours ago
- IOL News
No rivalry among Springboks fullbacks, says Aphelele Fassi
Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi is keen to build on his Test caps this season with the national side. Image: BackpagePix There is no competitiveness between him, Willie le Roux, and Damian Willemse for the Springboks' No 15 jersey, according to Aphelele Fassi. For them, it's all about how they can improve the team, and whoever is selected on a specific matchday to wear the fullback jersey, the others will do their best to support him in preparing for what awaits on a certain weekend from the opposition. With the Springboks set to play 14 matches this season, Fassi will likely feature in some as the starting fullback as head coach Rassie Erasmus looks to expand his squad ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The Bok season starts this Saturday against the Barbarians in Cape Town. The @Barbarian_FC will announce their final squad in the coming days - if you could bring one of these former #Springboks back, who would it be? 🫡 Don't miss out, grab your tickets now from Ticketmaster South Africa - click here: 🎟 There's rugby ...… — Springboks (@Springboks) June 21, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'I don't think it is a rivalry,' Fassi said about the fullback jersey of the Boks and who gets to wear it on a specific match day. 'What the coaches have been telling us; it's about building the squad in the right direction and being able to help each other week in and week out. "Over the past couple of weeks, Damian and I have been helping each other out in certain areas of our game and discussing how to improve. With the experience Willie brings, it's vital for us. 'The aim is not to bash each other up but to compete and help each other going forward. Everyone has a different way of playing and we all have that X-factor that we want to bring into the game. "All we are doing is to help each other to understand the gameplan and how your X-factor can filter into the team.' 'It's just a really spicy thing, a lekker thing to look forward to' 🗣 Rassie Erasmus reflects on his @Barbarian_FC memories as the #Springboks get set for a historic Cape Town clash 🇿🇦 Tickets from R950 behind the poles. Get yours from @TicketmasterZA :… — Springboks (@Springboks) June 20, 2025 According to Fassi, it wasn't too difficult to adjust from the United Rugby Championship to what is demanded at the Springbok level. However, he has been working on his strengths with the aid of Le Roux and Willemse. For him, it's important to be able to learn and feed off Le Roux who's been capped 97 times by the Springboks. 'In situations where I don't know what to do, I kind of feed off him. He has had a massive impact. This past week, I sat and asked him a few questions. Those answers were what I needed, and they will help me going into the season. #Springbok Assistant Coach Tony Brown reflects on another intense and hardworking training camp — laying the foundation for what's to come. 💪🇿🇦#StrongerTogether #Springboks #TonyBrown — Springboks (@Springboks) June 19, 2025
The Citizen
19 hours ago
- The Citizen
Bok lock Lood de Jager still happy with his decision to play in Japan
The 32-year-old Springbok said he is very happy to have signed up for five years of rugby in Japan. Springbok lock Lood de Jager is still enjoying playing rugby in Japan after three seasons there, and is excited for the two more seasons on his contract. The 32-year-old said he has developed his game and gained invaluable experience in his time at the Wild Knights, which followed three seasons at Sale Sharks in England. Finances and family He explained that the financial prospect of playing overseas and the well-being of his family were factors in his decision to leave our shores after several successful years at the Cheetahs and Bulls. 'Especially with the wife and kids… If you aren't happy off-field, it really translates to on the field,' De Jager said. 'For me, I am happy with the decisions I made. I always wanted to experience playing in Europe, playing Champions Cup, playing Premiership, testing myself against the best over there. And before that, it's Super Rugby over here. You get to play against the best of Argentina, New Zealand and Australia.' He said the variety of experience had done much for his game and his spirits. That is why he is still open about his future, saying anything could happen in two years and he could stay in Japan, return to SA, or play elsewhere. He would go wherever he could still develop his game and keep his family happy. ALSO READ: Damian de Allende would love to end his career at the Stormers De Jager says rugby standard increasing in Japan 'Then Japan, I am really enjoying it over there. You get to develop different parts of your game around the world. Rugby is played differently. Everyone thinks a bit differently about the game and I think if you can take the best of all of that it helps you be a more complete player. He said while the standard of rugby has picked up in Japan, with world-class players and coaches pushing a more running-focused game, he would encourage upcoming players enjoying their rugby in South Africa to appreciate the United Rugby Championship as a platform to make a name for themselves. Still, he said it was great being back in the Springbok fold after being out since July 2023 because of injury. 'The easy part was being with good friends again. Seeing them again and being able to train with them, spend day to day in camp. It was great seeing the guys again and talking about old stories.'
The Citizen
20 hours ago
- The Citizen
‘It's only match one,' says Itoje after Lions mauled by Pumas
'We only showed glimmers of what we can do. When we were on it, we looked good, we just need to do it more consistently.' Argentina's fly-half Tomaz Albornoz is mobbed by teammates after scoring the team's second try during the warm-up International rugby union match between The British and Irish Lions and Argentina at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on June 20, 2025 Picture: Paul Faith / AFP. The British & Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje brushed off Friday's defeat against Argentina in Dublin, saying his side will 'live, learn and get better'. The Lions, who leave for a three-Test tour of Australia on Saturday, were outplayed in the first half and, after a second half resurgence, went down 28-24. Bundee Aki and Tadhg Beirne both went over the Pumas line and the Lions were also awarded a penalty try but the visitors replied with three tries of their own including one for fly-half Tomas Albornoz who finished with 18 points. It was the first opening tour match loss since 1971 but there was much to build on as the team sets off on Saturday for Australia. Seventeen players were not considered by coach Andy Farrell because of their presence in domestic competitions last weekend or, in the case of Toulouse's Blair Kinghorn, this weekend. Not 'consistent' 'We weren't as consistent as we would have liked to be,' Itoje told Sky Sports. 'We only showed glimmers of what we can do. When we were on it, we looked good, we just need to do it more consistently. 'We want to be more aggressive but we are building. It wasn't quite that, we will live, learn and get better.' The Lions, who come together every four years as a team drawn from the best players in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, chose to play Argentina, ranked fifth in the world rather than a scratch team like the Barbarians to give themselves a stern test ahead of Australia. 'Argentina showed us where we are lacking,' said Itoje. 'I am happy we had a hard-fought game. We live and learn. This is only match one.' Farrell admitted that his side, who have only been together a short time, have much to do before their next game against Western force in Perth on June 28. 'You can't win a Test with that error rate,' he said. 'We lost enough balls in that game for a full tour, throwing balls that weren't on. 'There was good and bad throughout. We were just a little bit off, I take responsibility for that. 'I hope we are better off for that. We will keep building for the Test matches.' Under pressure The Lions, however, were under pressure from the start as the Pumas went on the attack from the kick-off, Albornoz stroking over a penalty in the fifth minute. The Lions then had a try ruled out when Luke Cowan-Dickie spilled the ball forwards as he reached for the line but Fin Smith levelled with a penalty. The Pumas hit back straight away as Ignacio Mendy stepped in off his wing, wrong-footed Duhan van der Merwe and slid through for the try. The Lions had a second try, this time from Sione Tuipulotu, ruled out before his centre partner Bundee Aki barged through for their opener. Albornoz knocked over two more penalties to make it 14-10 as the clock ticked towards the red. The Lions had time to restart and had a chance to regain the lead before the half-time whistle as the Pumas coughed up possession. The Pumas, though, quickly retrieved it, attacking down the right and opening the door for Albornoz to skitter through under the posts for their second try of the half. He added the conversion to take a 21-10 lead at the break. The Lions began the second half strongly and picked up a penalty try when Puma prop Mayco Vivas came in from the side of a maul to prevent it going over the line, collecting a yellow card in the process. Shortly after, the Lions were in front, a bullocking run by prop Ellis Genge producing chaos in the Argentine defence and allowing Irish lock Tadhg Beirne to crash over. Just before the hour, the Pumas were back in front when Connacht's Santiago Cordero beat Marcus Smith in a sprint to the line for the try that sealed the game.
