How could uncapped players fit into Springbok squad?
The first Springbok training squad of the season, which was confirmed on Thursday by SA Rugby, includes 31 Rugby World Cup players and nine uncapped players in a group of 54.
Those nine players in the group are Marnus van der Merwe, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese, Renzo du Plessis, Vincent Tshituka, Juarno Augustus, Ethan Hooker and Ntokozo Makhaza.
Although this squad will be trimmed closer to the start of the Test season, it is worth considering how these uncapped players could fit into the Springbok team, and what has brought them into the national picture.
Ethan Hooker: The versatile Sharks back, who can play at wing or centre, has been loudly knocking on the Springbok door this season. He is surely set for a Test debut sooner rather than later, likely to be on the right wing as someone who can afford Cheslin Kolbe some rest when needed.
Juarno Augustus: A standout player for the Northampton Saints this past season, Augustus now has experience on his side, and could provide a very good option at No 8 considering the injuries to other players in this position.
Vincent Tshituka: The Congolese-born Tshituka will add some much-needed depth at blindside flank, and it would not be a surprise at all to see him make his debut against Italy or Georgia in July.
Ntokozo Makhaza: The Varsity Cup superstar was a bit of a bolter in the squad selection, and it will be interesting to see whether the talented wing has shown enough to tempt the Springbok coaches into offering him an international cap this July.
Renzo du Plessis: Another rising star in South African rugby, the dynamic loose forward is in the mould of Kwagga Smith. A debut against Georgia would certainly seem feasible.
Neethling Fouche: The Stormers powerhouse prop will add important back up at tighthead, and considering Frans Malherbe is still sidelined with injury, Fouche is due for his first Test cap.
Asenathi Ntlabakanye: A 145kg giant, his physical dimensions set him apart from the pack, and perhaps the one-off games against the Barbarians and Georgia will present an opportunity for the big tighthead prop to get a Springbok game under the belt.
Marnus van der Merwe: Another position where the Springboks need to build depth is at hooker, and Van der Merwe is deserving of consideration after impressing for Welsh club Scarlets. When Malcolm Marx or Bongi Mbonambi are in need of a rest, the baton should be passed to Van der Merwe
Cobus Wiese: With the ability to play at lock and loose forward, the 27-year-old boasts all the physical attributes to make an impact for the Springboks in some of the Tests this season when experimental selection is likely to come into consideration.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Meanwhile, here is an important reminder on ticket sales for the Springbok men's game against Argentina in the Rugby Championship at Twickenham in October.
Ticket sales
Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.co.uk and England Rugby, starting from just £55* for adults and £28* for Under-16s.
(*booking fees apply)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Dortmund edge Sundowns in a seven-goal thriller
Goals from Felix Nmecha, Serhou Guirassy, Jobe Bellingham, and a Khuliso Mudau own goal ensured the Bundesliga outfit registered their first win of the tournament. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Trent Patterson/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15367892n) Mamelodi Sundowns defender Khuliso Mudau (25) celebreates with Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Lucas Ribeiro Costa (10) and he scored the first goal of the an Fifa Club World Cup game at TQL Stadium Soccer 2025: Mamelodi Sundowns Vs. Borussia Dortmund, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA – 21 Jun 2025 Borussia Dortmund claimed a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in a pulsating FIFA Club World Cup Group F encounter at the TQL Stadium on Saturday night. Sundowns' spirited fightback Goals from Felix Nmecha, Serhou Guirassy, Jobe Bellingham, and a Khuliso Mudau own goal ensured the Bundesliga outfit registered their first win of the tournament, despite a spirited fightback from the South African champions. ALSO READ: PSG stunned by Botafogo after Messi lights up Club World Cup Sundowns took a surprise lead just 11 minutes into the game. Lucas Ribeiro went on a brilliant solo run from the halfway line before calmly slotting past Gregor Kobel. However, the lead was short-lived following a misplaced pass from Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams who gifted Nmecha a simple finish into an empty net to level matters in the 16th minute. Teboho Mokoena was then caught in possession in midfield, and Dortmund made no mistake on the counter, with Guirassy heading home from Julian Brandt's pinpoint cross to make it 2-1. Dortmund extended their advantage before the break after Williams failed to deal with Brandt's low cross. He spilled the ball into the path of Bellingham, who tapped in his first goal for the club. The German side went into the break 3-1 up after an entertaining first half. The scoreline grew more lopsided on the hour mark when Mudau inadvertently turned a cross into his own net to make it 4-1, but Sundowns hit back just two minutes later. Iqraam Rayners rose highest to head Mokoena's free-kick against the upright, then reacted quickest to steer in the rebound. It was his second goal of the tournament, following his match-winner against Ulsan HD on Wednesday. Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso made only one change to the line-up that beat Ulsan, bringing in Tashreeq Matthews for Arthur Sales. Matthews, facing his former club, was withdrawn after 70 minutes for Jayden Adams. Mothiba magic Substitute Lebo Mothiba gave the Brazilians late hope with a composed finish from Kutlwano Letlaku's assist in the 90th minute, but Dortmund held firm in the dying moments to secure all three points. ALSO READ: Flamengo floor Chelsea at Club World Cup The result sees Dortmund move to the top of Group F with four points from two matches, while Sundowns sit second. Attention now shifts to the other clash between Ulsan HD and Fluminense, which kicks off at midnight (SA time) on Sunday.
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
Borussia Dortmund outclass Mamelodi Sundowns in a 4-3 classic to roar Club World Cup championship challenge
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Lucas Ribeiro Costa heads an uncontested ball against Borussia Dortmund during a Fifa Club World Cup game at TQL Stadium Soccer in Cincinnati on Saturday. | Shutterstock In a classic battle that saw class triumph over endeavour, German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund, eight-time Bundesliga champions, ran out 4-3 winners over South African perennial champions Mamelodi Sundowns, on Saturday in Cincinnati, Ohio. The outcome will take Dortmund to the top of the FIFA Club World Cup's Group F log, and both teams still have a chance to reach the play-offs with one round of matches remaining. At the outset, both teams adopted a possession-based playing style, launching attacks from their defensive third and focusing on intricate, short passes to advance downfield. Sundowns seemed the more adventurous as they sought to unlock the resources of their talented midfield to penetrate the Dortmund defence. Sundowns' attacking rhythm was punctuated by bursts of speed that the opposition struggled to contain but Dortmund did not allow their opponents to settle. The South Africans always looked more likely to score first after 10 minutes, even though Dortmund forced a corner during this period of play. Just as the tide appeared to turn in favour of the Germans, Sundowns capitalised on the fleeting opportunity to take control of the match. Former Dortmund striker Tashreeq Matthews, who was the only change in the Sundowns squad, sent a perfectly timed pass through the central Dortmund defence to Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro, who confidently slotted home the first goal after shaking off three defenders in the 11th minute (1-0). It was a fitting moment for Ribeiro, who was playing his 50th game for Sundowns. A terrible mistake by 'Mr Reliable', as the Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has been dubbed, changed the tone of the match, as they grabbed an equaliser. Williams attempted a pass out from the back but got it all wrong, and the ball fell to the lurking Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, who calmly scored the equaliser with unnerving composure in the 16th minute. Sundowns continued to hold the whip, although they did create threatening scoring opportunities. Just past the half-hour mark, Sundowns were dispossessed in midfield, and the tide turned sharply. They were left to rue their lapse as Dortmund's leading marksman Serhou Guirassy made them pay, heading home a goalmouth cross from close range. This gave Dortmund a 2-1 crucial lead, amplifying the pressure on Sundowns as they approached the half-time mark. In a half that held much promise for Sundowns, their anxieties deepened just before half-time when Dortmund's prodigious talent, Jobe Bellingham, found the net with the opposition defence in disarray (3-1). The Birmingham-born midfielder is the brother of England international Jude Bellingham. When second-half play resumed, Sundowns refused to buckle under the pressure and hard to assert their dominance on the field. They managed two half-chances in the opening 15 minutes, but once Dortmund absorbed that pressure, they went further ahead on the hour mark through an own goal by Sundowns fullback Khuliso Mudau (4-1). Despite the setback, Sundowns did not allow despair to set in, and they continued to push forward in search of redemption. The tireless pursuit finally bore fruit three minutes later when Iqraam Rayners reduced the deficit (4-2). In the final minute, substitute Lebo Mothiba scored Sundowns' third goal but it was a case of too little too late.
The Herald
7 hours ago
- The Herald
BaaBaas, with ‘great players in world rugby', a good test for Boks: Rassie
'Italy will pose a different challenge. They did well in their first two Six Nations matches, but they are a team we can analyse, though we will certainly not underestimate them. I've seen them beat us before, so it will be an important two matches. 'Georgia are also a challenging team on a good day, so the key for us will be to drive our own standards.' Bok captain Siya Kolisi said the players 'are excited about the season ahead'. 'For most of us, it's hard to say goodbye at the end of each season, so being back together and to see a guy like Lood [de Jager, who is back from a long injury layoff], was also great. 'On the field, we are training well, and our sessions are close to match intensity.' SA Rugby media
