This will be followed by a three-day alignment camp in Cape Town, featuring 56 domestic players, set for next month. This marks the first official gathering for the team after a successful 2024 international season. 

Among the forwards, some of the new faces include Ethan Bester, Renzo du Plessis, Francke Horn, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Reinhardt Ludwig and JF van Heerden from Bloemfontein. Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, Suleiman Hartzenberg, and David Kriel are some of the new backline players that could be in line for higher honours later in the year.

Quan Horn. Photo: Morgan Piek

In addition to the in-person camp, Erasmus and his team will conduct virtual alignment sessions for overseas-based players, emerging talents, and domestically based injured players who are not part of the Cape Town camp. These virtual sessions will help bring the wider player pool up to speed with the team’s expectations and strategies.

The coaching team will meet in Cape Town on March 7 to begin planning for the year ahead, which includes the Incoming Series in July, the Rugby Championship from August to October, and the Outgoing Tour in November. 

The alignment camp will run until March 12, and activities will include two gym sessions and several boardroom meetings designed to prepare players for the demands of the upcoming season.

Aphelele Fassie. Photo: Morgan Piek

The camp will include 18 members of the 2023 Rugby World Cup-winning squad, many of whom have also been part of previous championship-winning teams, as well as 22 capped national players. 

Some players will be returning for another round of alignment camps after previous involvement with the national team or South African ‘A’ teams, while others, such as Jurenzo Julius, JF van Heerden, and Reinhardt Ludwig, will experience their first taste of Springbok rugby.

Erasmus expressed his satisfaction with the squad’s mix of experienced and new faces, noting that previous alignment camps had proven invaluable in establishing the team’s structures and culture. He emphasised that the focus of this camp would be aligning all players with the expectations for the 2025 season, which is critical for the challenges ahead.

Evan Roos. Photo: Morgan Piek

Erasmus also highlighted that the coaches have been preparing for the year’s planning and analysis since the conclusion of the 2024 Outgoing Tour, during which the Springboks achieved an impressive 84.6% win record. 

They have been monitoring player performances in competitions like the United Rugby Championship and the Champions Cup to ensure the squad is well-prepared for the season.

This alignment camp is the first of three planned for the Springboks as they set the stage for the upcoming international campaigns, including fixtures against Italy, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand.

Phepsi Buthelezi. Photo: Morgan Piek

Springbok alignment camp squad:

Forwards - Ethan Bester, Phepsi Buthelezi, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Ben-Jason Dixon, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche, Deon Fourie, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, Evan Roos, André-Hugo Venter, Renzo du Plessis, Francke Horn, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter, 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

Backs - Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams, Paul de Wet, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse, Quan Horn, Morné van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Henco van Wyk, Sebastian de Klerk, David Kriel, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Embrose Papier

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg/mvh