With anticipation building for the 2025 Rugby Championship, all eyes are on Rassie Erasmus and the squad he’s just unveiled.

The Springboks have named their 36-man team for the first two Tests of the tournament—and it’s a bold mix of seasoned campaigners and fresh new talent.

Opening Matches Set for Johannesburg and Cape Town

South Africa’s campaign kicks off with two big home clashes against the Wallabies—first in Johannesburg on Saturday, 16 August, followed by another showdown in Cape Town on 23 August.

These opening games are crucial for setting the tone, especially with a tighter squad and some big names watching from the sidelines.

Trip to New Zealand Confirmed for September

The Springboks won’t be in South Africa for long.

They’re set to head to New Zealand in September for their highly anticipated away leg.

Erasmus will announce a separate squad for that trip, with blockbuster Tests lined up against the All Blacks at Eden Park on 6 September and Sky Stadium in Wellington on 13 September.

Argentina Awaits in Final Two Clashes

To wrap up the Rugby Championship, the Springboks will face Argentina—first at Kings Park in Durban on 27 September, and then an intriguing overseas finale in London on 4 October.

It’s a packed schedule, but Erasmus is confident in the group he’s picked.

Big Names Left on Standby

Nine players didn’t make the final cut for now but are on standby.

These include some heavy-hitters like Lukhanyo Am, who’s still recovering from a knee issue, Faf de Klerk, Makazole Mapimpi, and Vincent Tshituka.

They’re not out of the picture, but Erasmus is clearly looking to test depth early on.

Erasmus Explains His Selection Strategy

“We’ve basically got three players who can cover each position, and that’s vital in a competition like this,” Erasmus explained.

“It’s never easy trimming the squad, especially when the wider group performed so well during the Incoming Series, but we always planned to go with a more focused group for the Rugby Championship.”

The goal, he says, is to build squad depth—and there’s no better test than facing top-tier teams like Australia and New Zealand.

Youth Gets a Chance to Shine

Erasmus made it clear that this squad isn’t just about experience—it’s also about giving younger players a real shot.

“Some of the younger guys really stepped up in recent Tests, and this is their opportunity to take it even further,” he said.

“We’re excited about the balance we’ve struck for the first two games.”

The 36 Players Named in the Squad

Here’s the breakdown of the selected players:

Forwards:

Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese.

Backs:

Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Edwill van der Merwe, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse.

Final Thoughts from Erasmus

Erasmus sounded confident but measured in his comments, saying this squad is the best mix for the opening phase of the tournament.

“It’s about managing the group, testing combinations, and preparing for the grind ahead.

We’re happy with where we are,” he said.