Stormers lock Adré Smith has been drafted into the Springbok training squad as injury cover, bringing the total number of players in the extended group to 54. This addition follows a series of mid-week call-ups, including fellow Stormers forward Ruben van Heerden, as head coach Rassie Erasmus looks to bolster his side’s depth ahead of the upcoming mid-year campaign.
Squad Expansion And Injury Concerns
The decision to expand the squad comes amid a significant injury crisis at lock, compounded by the unavailability of several frontline players due to club commitments. With Salmaan Moerat currently side-lined by injury and key candidates such as Ruan Nortjé and Cobus Wiese tied up with Bulls duties for the United Rugby Championship final, technical staff have acted to ensure stability in the engine room.
The current 54-man group will undergo intensive preparation in the lead-up to a demanding fixture schedule. This strategy allows the coaching staff to assess a wider range of talent, including several uncapped players, to build squad resilience for the challenges ahead, including the upcoming Nations Championship.
Upcoming International Fixtures
The national team is set to face a challenging double-header on 20 June 2026, which will serve as a critical yardstick for the extended squad. The Springboks are scheduled to play the Barbarians, while a second side enters the field for an SA ‘A’ clash against Zimbabwe in Gqeberha.
These matches represent an opportunity for players like Smith and Van Heerden to establish themselves in the national setup during a high-stakes competitive environment. The coaching staff is expected to finalise match-day selections following the completion of the current training camp.