Rassie on 11 uncapped players: All can play for Springboks
· The South African
As the Springboks’ 2026 season increasingly comes into focus, there is great excitement about the fixtures that lie ahead, as well as the potential for some newcomers to be exposed to Test rugby.
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The Springboks have just wrapped up their first alignment camp of the year, which included 11 talented uncapped players, primarily aimed at giving them their first taste of the national set up.
UNCAPPED PLAYERS INCLUDED IN SPRINGBOKS’ FIRST ALIGNMENT CAMP
Forwards (6): Kai Pratt, Emmanuel Tshituka, Siphosethu Mnebebele, Paul de Villiers, Riley Norton, Bathobele Hlekani
Backs (5): Jaco Williams, Sebastian de Klerk, Cheswill Jooste, Markus Muller, Haashim Pead
Reflecting on the first camp of the year, Rassie Erasmus was pleased with the energy and enthusiasm displayed by the uncapped players, and said it would stand them in good stead as they harbour hopes of playing their way into the national team.
“There were eleven uncapped players, and not all of them will get a chance to play this year, but that’s beside the point,” said Erasmus.
“The key was to get to know their personalities and for them to start feeling comfortable in the environment, and we are very excited about what they can deliver.
“We all think they have the potential to play for the Springboks one day, and this is only the first step for them to start understanding our systems, and obviously for the older players to see the young guys coming through to keep everybody at peak performance, so nothing can be taken for granted.”
The Springboks have a bumper 2026 season lined up, which includes 13 Test matches, and an international against the Barbarians in Gqeberha on Saturday 20 June at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Fixtures for 2026:
International:
Saturday 20 June: Springboks v Barbarians (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha) – TICKETS
Nations Championship:
Saturday 4 July: Boks v England (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday 11 July: Boks v Scotland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday 18 July: Boks v Wales (Kings Park, Durban)
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry:
Saturday 22 August: Springboks v All Blacks (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday 29 August: Springboks v All Blacks (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday 5 September: Springboks v All Blacks (FNB Stadium, Johannesburg)
Saturday 12 September: Springboks v All Blacks (M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA)
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Once-off Tests:
Saturday, 8 August: Argentina v Boks (venue TBC)
Sunday 27 September: Wallabies v Boks (Optus Stadium, Perth)
Nations Championship:
Saturday 7 November: Italy v Springboks (venue TBC)
Friday 13 November: France v Springboks (Stade de France, Paris)
Saturday 21 November: Ireland v Springboks (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November: Finals Weekend (Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London) – TICKETS