Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed a 46-man squad for the inaugural Nations Championship, headlined by the notable return of scrumhalves Embrose Papier and Herschel Jantjies ahead of the tournament opener against England on 4 July 2026 in Johannesburg.
Squad Composition And Returning Players
The squad includes 12 players from the Vodacom Bulls who were previously unavailable for selection due to their participation in the United Rugby Championship (URC) final. Among the returning group is Embrose Papier, who has earned a recall to the national side for the first time since 2018 following a standout season that saw him named the SA URC Player of the Season.
Embrose and Herschel have also made strong statements with their performances this season, and we are looking forward to welcoming them back in the squad.
Speaking to the media regarding the selection, Erasmus noted the importance of integrating in-form players alongside established veterans. The inclusion of Jantjies further bolsters the depth at scrumhalf as the Boks begin their campaign.
Emerging Talent And Development
The selection process marks a significant shift as the team prepares for a challenging series against England, Scotland, Wales, and Argentina. Erasmus has opted to include six uncapped players, offering a pathway for the next generation of international prospects.
We are pleased with the quality of the group we have selected, and it’s also exciting to see the next generation of players coming through in Riley, Vusi, Paul, Carlu, Ruben and Jaco.
The six uncapped players set to join the training environment are Paul de Villiers, Riley Norton, Ruben van Heerden, Carlu Sadie, Vusi Moyo, and Jaco Williams. These additions highlight a strategic focus on building squad depth as international rugby schedules intensify.
The Springboks will continue their preparations in the lead-up to the test against England, which will serve as the opening fixture defining the team’s momentum for the rest of the championship.