MUST-READ: Selecting an uncapped Springbok XV

MUST-READ: Selecting an uncapped Springbok XV

Earlier this year, the Springboks held their first alignment camp of 2024, with as many as 19 players included from the 2023 Rugby World Cup-winning squad.

However, the national coaches also cast their net far and wide, picking 16 uncapped players who had impressed on the domestic scene.

In June, the Springboks will play a one-off match against Wales, and numerous newcomers will be selected considering that it falls outside of the international window – meaning most overseas-based players cannot be picked.

There will also be a one-off match against lower-ranked Portugal in July, and it’s in these two games where many players can expect to receive their first Springbok cap.

Although the coaches will undoubtedly balance youth with some experience personnel, it does make for an interesting exercise to consider what a totally uncapped Springbok team could look like.

‘Uncapped’ Springbok team: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Tyrone Green, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 11 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Mpilo Gumede, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Boan Venter.

SPRINGBOK NEWCOMERS IN THE FIRST ALIGNMENT CAMP OF 2024

UNCAPPED PLAYERS INVITED:

THE FULL 43-PLAYER ALIGNMENT CAMP SQUAD

Forwards: Eben Etzebeth, Neethling Fouche*, Johan Grobbelaar*, Celimpilo Gumede*, Cameron Hanekom*, Andre-Hugo Venter*, Vincent Koch, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Salmaan Moerat, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Evan Roos, Kwagga Smith, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marnus van der Merwe*, Ruben van Heerden*, Marco van Staden, Ruan Venter*, Jan-Hendrik Wessels*

Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Faf de Klerk, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu*, Suleiman Hartzenberg*, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse*, Quan Horn*, Herschel Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Sanele Nohamba*, Morne van den Berg*, Henco van Wyk*, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse

* Denotes uncapped players

CONFIRMED FIXTURES FOR 2024:

• Saturday, 22 June: SA vs Wales (Twickenham, London)
• Saturday, 6 July: SA vs Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
• Saturday, 13 July: SA vs Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
• Saturday, 20 July: SA vs Portugal (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
• Saturday, 10 August: Australia vs SA (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
• Saturday, 17 August: Australia vs SA (Optus Stadium, Perth)
• Saturday, 31 August: SA vs New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
• Saturday, 7 September: SA v New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
• Saturday, 21 September: Argentina v SA (venue TBC)
• Saturday, 28 September: SA v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
• Saturday, 10 November: SA v Scotland (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
• 16/17 November: England v SA (Twickenham, London – date TBC)

*A report from French media outlet Midi Olympique has suggested France will face the Springboks on 2 November.