Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named the same 54 players who attended the second national alignment camp in Cape Town last month, in a training squad for the opening stages of the international season. The Springboks open their season with a match against the Barbarians in Cape Town on June 28. The squad includes 31 Rugby World Cup players and consists of 30 forwards and 24 backline players. Nine players, among them hooker Marnus van der Merwe, props Neethling Fouche and Asenathi Ntlabakanye as well as loose-forward, Juarno Augustus, are uncapped. With some players still involved in the United Rugby Championship and Gallagher Premiership play-offs, a staggered approach will be adopted for the players joining the camp. The available players will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday and begin their on-field preparations on Monday. BREAKING! The first #Springboks squad for the season is out, the available players will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday 🇿🇦#ForeverGreenForeverGold — Springboks (@Springboks) June 5, 2025