Rassie on his Springbok squad selection: 'Different kettle of fish'

Today at 09:43 AM

Find out what the Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus had to say about the selection of his 34-man squad, which does not feature any uncapped players.

The Springboks will face Scotland in Edinburgh (Sunday, 10 November), England in London (Saturday, 16 November) and Wales in Cardiff (Saturday, 23 November) on their traditional end-of-year tour.

RECAP: SPRINGBOK SQUAD MAKE-UP

The squad – which will be led by Siya Kolisi – will depart for a training camp in Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands between England and France, on Sunday, 27 October.

Four Rugby World Cup winners, Damian Willemse (utility back), Andre Esterhuizen (centre), RG Snyman and Franco Mostert (both locks), will make a welcome return to the Springbok squad after injury layoffs.

The players ruled out due to injury are Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Salmaan Moerat (both knee injuries), Steven Kitshoff (neck) and Lood de Jager (shoulder).

Rassie picked a total of 49 players for the Springboks across the 2024 international season, but unfortunately only 34 – 18 forwards and 16 backs – made the cut for the November Tests.

RASSIE GIVES HIS VERDICT ON SURPRISE SELECTION PROCESS

The Bok coach admitted that selecting the squad was challenging given the depth they had built up this year.

"There's no doubt that there are several unlucky players who could easily have made the touring squad, but unfortunately we could only select 34 players," said Rassie.

"That said, this squad includes a healthy mix of youth and experience, with most of these players having made a strong statement in the Springbok jersey this year.

While Rassie was hopeful that the Boks could finish the year on a high note, especially after suffering only two defeats in their 10 matches this season – both by only one point against Argentina and Ireland – he admitted that it would take a gallant effort by his charges.

"We are under no illusions about the quality of the opposition we will face, and we have experienced first-hand how their home crowds lift them, much like our passionate supporters, so we know what it will take to be successful over there," he said.

"Fortunately, we have a squad that believes in themselves and their abilities, and that will be vital as we enter these matches.

"Obviously we'll take confidence from winning the Rugby Championship, but the reality is that's now history, and there's no doubt that will motivate the opposition even more to make a strong statement against us."

Rassie Erasmus, however, took comfort from the fact that most of the players have had the luxury of facing northern hemisphere opposition in the Vodacom URC and said that would prepare the players better for the challenge ahead.

"Our Vodacom URC teams have all travelled to the northern hemisphere already, so many of these players have been exposed to the conditions and as well as some of the players they will face in November, which is certainly beneficial to us," Rassie explained.

"But that said, international rugby is a completely different kettle of fish and that always brings the best out of the teams, so we know it will take a massive effort to win over there."

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS SQUAD?

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