Rugby
Former Cheetah Venter called up to the Boks─── MORGAN PIEK 09:58 Sun, 15 Jun 2025
The former Toyota Cheetahs prop Boan Venter has received his first-ever Springbok call-up, as head coach Rassie Erasmus trimmed his squad ahead of the upcoming clash against the Barbarians, as well as the Test matches against Italy and Georgia.
Venter, who hails from the Northern Cape and is the son of Griquas legend De Waal Venter, has impressed enough to earn a spot in the national setup.
Now playing his rugby in Scotland, Venter caught the eye of Springbok scrum coach Daan Human during his time with the Cheetahs. Human who used to play against Venter back in the day, and once described De Waal as “ ’n harde man in die oond”.
Venter has the distinction of being the first-ever prop to score a hat-trick of tries in an United Rugby Championship match – a feat head achieved in 2022 against the Ospreys of Wales in Swansea.
Boan Venter. Photo: X
Venter comes in as Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu have both been released back to their respective unions.
Other players who have been released from the squad include Lukhanyo Am, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cameron Hanekom, Juarno Augustus, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Quan Horn, Renzo du Plessis, and Ntokozo Makhaza.
“Boan has been consistent for Edinburgh in both the URC and the EPCR Challenge Cup,” said Erasmus.
“He’s familiar with the South African structures after coming through our junior ranks and playing for the Toyota Cheetahs, so we’re looking forward to seeing what he brings to the squad.”
Boan Venter. Photo: X
The Springboks will kick off their 2025 season against the Barbarians in Cape Town on Saturday, 28 June – the first time the two sides will meet on South African soil.
Reduced Springbok squad:
Forwards – Lood de Jager, Jean-Luc du Preez, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Neethling Fouché, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Salmaan Moerat, Franco Mostert, Ox Nché, Ruan Nortjé, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Evan Roos, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Vincent Tshituka, Marco van Staden, Marnus van der Merwe, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese, Jasper Wiese
Backs – Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morné van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams
OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg dg
