Rassie Erasmus: What Springbok camps must achieve

Rassie Erasmus has outlined what he is looking for as an extended Springbok player group gathers for a series of alignment sessions.

Rassie Erasmus World Rugby Coach of the Year Springboks

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus. Image: X/@Springboks

The Springboks will somewhat formally kick off their 2025 planning and preparation with a Cape Town alignment camp that will be led by Rassie Erasmus next month.

The coaches will assemble in the Mother City on Friday 7 March for a three-day planning block before an extended group of players gather for a three-day camps involving two gymnasium sessions and a series of boardroom meetings.

This will be followed by virtual alignment camps with overseas-based Springboks and a group of up-and-coming domestic players.

Rassie Erasmus has clearly outlined what he will be looking for as the Springboks begin to plot and plan for a busy season ahead.

“Our alignment camps have proven invaluable in the last few years as it offers us the opportunity to present our structures for the season, as well as the Springbok culture and way of doing things,” said Erasmus.

“The focus at this camp will be to get everyone on the same page for the 2025 season, which will be vital in laying a good foundation for us to build on with a challenging campaign coming up.

“I’m also excited for the new players in the mix, who have made their mark at franchise level, and we are excited to see them receive this opportunity to get a taste of what is expected of them at the highest level.”

This will mark the first of three alignment camps as the Springboks lay the foundation for the international season.

The virtual sessions will also hold importance, and this is scheduled for 27 March.

“It is vital for us that all the players on our radar are exposed to our plans and goals for the season, so we intend to replicate our presentations to the group in Cape Town with these players, so everyone is on the same page as we embark on this challenging season,” said Erasmus.

“With a wide group of players invited to the respective alignment camps, we are excited to grow our player base and expose all these individuals to the national structures, as well as to explain what our expectations are of them for the forthcoming season.

“Many of these players have won a World Cup before, but we made it clear before the 2023 showpiece in France that we have to continue adapting and improving to remain at the top of our game – not only this season but also as we build toward the 2027 World Cup in Australia.”

Springbok group of 56 invited by Rassie Erasmus for the in-person camp:

Forwards: Ethan Bester, Phepsi Buthelezi, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane (all Hollywoodbets Sharks); Ben-Jason Dixon, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche, Deon Fourie, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, Evan Roos, Andre-Hugo Venter (all DHL Stormers); Renzo du Plessis, Francke Horn, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter (all Emirates Lions); Johan Grobbelaar, Celimpilo Gumede, Cameron Hanekom, Wilco Louw, Reinhardt Ludwig, Ruan Nortje, Gerhard Steenekamp, Akker van der Merwe, JF van Heerden, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Vodacom Bulls).

Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams (all Hollywoodbets Sharks); Paul de Wet, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse (all DHL Stormers); Quan Horn, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Henco van Wyk (all Emirates Lions); Sebastian de Klerk, David Kriel, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Embrose Papier (all Vodacom Bulls).

A further 26 players will be part of the virtual alignment call:

Kurt-Lee Arendse (Dynaboars), Damian de Allende, Lood de Jager (both Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez (both Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Trevor Nyakane (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Siya Masuku (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Jonathan Roche (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Nico Steyn (Emirates Lions), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).