Springboks: SIXTEEN prominent players unavailable – FULL LIST

Springboks: SIXTEEN prominent players unavailable – FULL LIST

A total of SIXTEEN prominent Springboks may be unavailable for selection picture due to current club commitments.

Rassie Erasmus has opted against the second Springbok training alignment camp, as previously reported on The South African. This is because there is unclear communication around the players that will be available to take on Wales in July.

Therefore, with this in mind, we divulge into the players who will not be considered for selection.

Rassie will not be selecting any players currently playing in Europe. Furthermore, the URC final is scheduled to take place on 22 June – the same day as the Springboks first test of 2024. Meaning, several Bulls and Stormers players may be unavailable as well, pending their respective team performances.

FULL LIST OF KEY SPRINGBOKS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION

FORWARDS:

• Siya Kolisi
• Steven Kitshoff
• Trevor Nyakane
• RG Snyman
• Jean Kleyn
• Marco van Staden
• Deon Fourie
• Jasper Wiese

BACKS:

• Cobus Reinach
• Handre Pollard
• Manie Libbok
• Andre Esterhuizen
• Kurt-Lee Arendse
• Canan Moodie
• Willie le Roux
• Damian Willemse

BACK THESE BOKS TO COME BACK

Even Springboks captain Kolisi (Racing 92) is not immune to club commitments. Meaning, the Springboks may have to appoint a new captain for the test series against Wales. Furthermore, fellow forwards Kitshoff (Ulster), Nyakane (Racing 92), Snyman (Munster), Kleyn (Munster) and Wiese (Leicester Tigres) are also unavailable selection. Additionally, the backline will be without Reinach (Montpellier), Pollard (Leicester Tigers) and Esterhuizen (Harlequins) with these players currently plying their trade in Europe.

Meanwhile, the Bulls and Stormers URC participation several top URC players unavailable.

“This means that Leicester-based Handre Pollard and Stormers playmaker Manie Libbok are set to be among a mass of players unavailable for the Springboks. This is also likely to include props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe, locks RG Snyman and Jean Kleyn, loose forwards Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese and Siya Kolisi, scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, wings Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse and fullback Willie le Roux,” the report read on SARugbyMag.

Moreover, that means Willemse and Fourie would also be unavailable if the Stormers or Bulls are still in the picture. There’s no doubt that these Rugby World Cup winners are all key cogs in the Springboks wheel of success.

Therefore, most, if not, all of the players listed are expected to feature in the decisive test series against Ireland and in the Rugby Championship.