Erasmus calls up young guns for Springbok alignment camp

Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, has named a 40-man squad for the world champions’ second in-person alignment camp, set to take place in Cape Town next week.

The group includes two uncapped players, Sibabalwe Mahashe and Zekhethelo Siyaya.

Several other players, including Embrose Papier, Francke Horn, Andre-Hugo Venter, and Henco van Wyk, who have all attended alignment camps in the past, have also been included

Erasmus says the camp is aimed at exposing emerging players to the Springboks’ structures and systems, particularly with several senior players currently sidelined through injury, as the team builds towards the next two seasons.

A second virtual alignment camp will follow after the in-person session.

The camp, which runs from 19 to 21 May, comprises 25 forwards and 15 backline players, including 10 uncapped players in Paul de Villiers, Bathobele Hlekani, Francke Horn, Mahashe, Riley Norton, Haashim Pead, Siyaya, Emmanuel Tshituka, Van Wyk and Jaco Williams, six of whom were invited to the first alignment camp in March.

Erasmus says it has been encouraging to see several of the players perform strongly in the United Rugby Championship and European competitions this season.

“This is an exciting group of players, and it’s been pleasing to see them make their presence felt in the United Rugby Championship and during their teams’ Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup campaigns this season,” said Erasmus.

He added that the purpose of the camp is to familiarise players with the team’s standards, systems, and expectations.

“There are several players who are not currently fit to play, and we look forward to seeing them back in action in the near future, knowing they have a good sense of how the team operates and what will be expected of them when they return.”

“It’s important to be clear about the objective of this alignment camp, and that is to expose these players to our environment, our standards, and the way we operate.”

The international season kicks off in Gqeberha on 20 June, when the Boks face the Barbarians, followed by a series of home Tests against England, Scotland and Wales.

South Africa will then meet Argentina away and the All Blacks in four Tests in August and September, in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

An away Test against the Wallabies in Australia will follow, before the second leg of the Nations Championship in Europe, with matches against Italy, France and Ireland, ahead of the Finals Weekend in London.

Rassie Erasmus has invited two exciting youngsters amongst a group of new players to the next #Springboks alignment camp – more here: https://t.co/HLz2kCyLY5 🤝#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/FWpXjPP2bu

— Springboks (@Springboks) May 13, 2026

Written by: Ntsako Mukhari