Springboks name 37-man squad for November Nations Championship
Rassie Erasmus has named 37 players for the Springboks' Nations Championship campaign in Europe, with some fresh faces in and a few familiar names left out.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has announced a 37-man squad for the Nations Championship in Europe in November. According to IOL, the selection brought the usual mix of delight and disappointment.
Who is in the squad
The group is made up of the following players:
- Props: Thomas du Toit, Ox Nche, Wilco Louw, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen and Gerhard Steenekamp.
- Hookers: Malcolm Marx and Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
- Locks: Lood de Jager, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Nortje, Riley Norton and Franco Mostert.
- Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers, Siya Kolisi, Cameron Hanekom, Emmanuel Tshituka and Jasper Wiese.
- Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit and Marco van Staden.
- Scrumhalves: Cobus Reinach, Morné van den Berg and Grant Williams.
- Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Luan Giliomee and Manie Libbok.
- Centres: Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Markus Muller and Canan Moodie.
- Outside backs: Sebastian de Klerk, Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse.
The newer names
IOL singled out Luan Giliomee as one of the winners. He rose quickly from Sevens, where he played under Blitzboks coach Philip Snyman, to the United Rugby Championship late last season. Sharks coach JP Pietersen gave him his chance there, and he has since moved to the Bulls, where he is listed in the squad as a flyhalf.
Emmanuel Tshituka also made the list. IOL noted that he has been starting on the flank for the Sharks because his older brother Vincent has been injured, and that he featured in the team’s recent wins in Lyon and Cardiff.
The outlet also highlighted Sharks teenager Zek Siyaya, who impressed at fullback, flyhalf and wing late last season. His name does not appear in the squad list published by IOL.
Those who missed out
Bulls loose forward Cobus Wiese, the younger brother of Jasper, is not in the group. IOL said he makes way for the recalled Salmaan Moerat. Hooker Johan Grobbelaar, who has 11 caps after debuting in 2024, is also absent, and Wessels has been named as the second hooker behind Malcolm Marx.
Elrigh Louw, who debuted in 2022, is not on the list either. IOL pointed to his injury setbacks, including a knee injury that kept him out of rugby in 2025, and some uneven recent form for the Bulls.
What to look out for
The squad draws on South African URC sides, with players from the Sharks, Stormers, Bulls and Lions, as well as several based in Japan and France. Supporters can watch how Erasmus balances experience with the newer players once the tournament gets under way in Europe.
This story is based on reporting by IOL.
