Springboks lose 324 Tests worth of experience for November trip

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will head into the final four Tests of the season without four established stars after Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Andre Esterhuizen and Handre Pollard were ruled out of contention due to injury.

The quartet will miss the second leg of the Nations Championship, with South Africa preparing to face Italy, France and Ireland in November before the competition’s Finals Weekend in London.

Despite the injury setbacks, Erasmus has named a 37-man squad featuring six uncapped players as the Springboks look to maintain their position at the top of the Southern Hemisphere standings.

Four Springbok stars unavailable

Kolbe, Etzebeth, Esterhuizen and Pollard are the notable absentees from the squad announced on Wednesday.

Kolbe has 53 Tests to his name, Etzebeth 147, Esterhuizen 36 and Pollard 88, meaning the Springboks will be without a cumulative 324 Tests’ worth of experience.

Their injuries leave Erasmus without four experienced options as the Springboks prepare for a demanding run of northern hemisphere opposition.

However, the coach expressed confidence in the depth available to cover the affected positions.

“It’s always sad to lose players of that calibre, but we are pleased with the cover we have in those positions, and it also offers other players the opportunity to put up their hands,” Erasmus said.

“The majority of the players in this group have been with us for most of the season and know what our expectations are, and also what to anticipate at this level.”

Six uncapped players earn Springbok call-ups

While the injuries are a setback, Erasmus has included six uncapped players in his 37-man squad.

Yaqeen Ahmed, Sebastian de Klerk, Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Riley Norton and Emmanuel Tshituka have all earned their first national call-ups.

All six have previously been involved in the wider Springbok set-up.

Ahmed, Giliomee, Muller and Tshituka represented the SA ‘A’ team against Zimbabwe, while Norton featured for the Springboks against the Barbarians earlier this season.

De Klerk attended the national alignment camp last season.

Erasmus said their performances at franchise level over the past two seasons had helped secure their places in the squad.

“We’ve had all six players on our radar for a while now, and they’ve delivered consistently for their respective franchises in the last two seasons, so they thoroughly deserve their call-ups,” he said.

The coach added that building squad depth remained one of the Springboks’ key priorities, while acknowledging that international rugby would present a different challenge for the newcomers.

Springboks face tough November schedule

South Africa will begin the second leg of the Nations Championship against Italy on 7 November, before taking on France on 13 November and Ireland on 21 November.

The Springboks currently lead the Southern Hemisphere standings on points difference, tied with New Zealand on 15 points.

The November matches will be crucial to their hopes of finishing the league stages in the strongest possible position ahead of the Finals Weekend, scheduled for London from 27 to 29 November.

Erasmus warned against underestimating Italy despite the side’s world ranking, pointing to the challenge of playing in front of a passionate home crowd.

He also expects difficult encounters against France and Ireland, highlighting the narrow margins that have decided several recent meetings with those teams.

“Both France and Ireland have also won two of their three Nations Championship matches to date and will be eyeing a spot as the top-placed Northern Hemisphere team,” Erasmus said.

“We need to be sharp, accurate, and adaptable in all our remaining matches to achieve the desired results if we want to finish the league stages as the top team.”

The Springboks will assemble in Italy in groups on Sunday and Monday as preparations begin for the final stretch of the season.

Springbok squad for second leg of Nations Championship:

Props: Thomas du Toit, Ox Nche (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen (all Stormers), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls)

Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls)

Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Salmaan Moerat (Stade Rochelais), Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears), Riley Norton (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)

Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers, Siya Kolisi (both Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Emmanuel Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks)

Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Marco van Staden (Bulls)

Scrumhalves: Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers)

Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (both Stormers), Luan Giliomee (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners)

Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Markus Muller (Stormers), Canan Moodie (Bulls)

Outside backs: Sebastian de Klerk (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars), Damian Willemse (Stormers)