In addition, three Junior Springboks who helped South Africa win the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy over the weekend have been rewarded with an invitation to join the senior squad for a conditioning camp starting on 27 July in Johannesburg. 

The trio includes Bathobele Hlekani, Cheswill Jooste, and Haashim Pead. Among the 37 players selected for the Tests against the Wallabies are former Cheetahs Marnus van der Merwe and Boan Venter, as well as Ethan Hooker, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, and Cobus Wiese – all of whom made their Springbok debuts during the July Tests against Italy and Georgia.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Photo: Morgan Piek

Erasmus admitted that trimming the enlarged squad down for the Rugby Championship was no easy task, but he’s confident that the right players have been chosen for the fixtures in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

“It’s always tough to reduce the squad, especially after how well the wider group performed during the Incoming Series,” Erasmus said.

“But as we mentioned before, we planned to select a smaller, more manageable group for the Rugby Championship. This squad includes a mix of experienced players and younger guys who really put their hands up over the past few weeks. We’re happy with the balance.”

Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Photo: Morgan Piek

He added that standby players had been fully briefed on the team’s plans and expectations so that they’re ready to step in if needed.

“We’ve probably got three players who can cover each position, which is vital in this competition. It was a thorough process, narrowing the group down to 37. One of our key goals as a team is to build squad depth, and the best way to test our younger players is to expose them to the top teams in the world.”

The Springboks’ Rugby Championship campaign kicks off on 16 August at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

Springbok squad for the Tests against Australia:

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 Nché, Ruan Nortjé, 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, André Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie, Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Edwill van der Merwe, Morné van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh