Ruan Nortjé Rejoins Springboks Squad for Ausie Clash
Rassie Erasmus has chosen Bulls captain Ruan Nortjé to join the Springbok squad for the Rugby Championship test against Australia on August 10 in Brisbane. Nortjé, who debuted for the Springboks on July 9, 2022, against Wales, is getting another opportunity due to the injuries of key players Franco Mostert, Lood de Jager, and Jean Kleyn.
Erasmus announced a strong 33-man squad led by Siya Kolisi for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship. This squad includes 22 Rugby World Cup winners and five newcomers for 2024: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ben-Jason Dixon, and Morne van den Berg. Nortjé is the sole newcomer among the veterans.
Erasmus highlighted that Nortjé’s inclusion is due to Franco Mostert’s injury and praised Nortjé’s leadership experience with the Bulls.
Springbok Squad Announced: Nortjé Returns as Kolisi Leads for Rugby Championship
Players unavailable due to injury or rehab include Jean Kleyn, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert (locks), Steven Kitshoff (prop), Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Herschel Jantjies (scrumhalves), Canan Moodie (centre), Edwill van der Merwe (wing), and Damian Willemse (utility back). Additionally, Jasper Wiese is suspended, and Andre Esterhuizen awaits a disciplinary hearing after his red card in the 64-21 victory over Portugal.
Erasmus expressed confidence in the squad, citing a blend of youth and experience as ideal for the challenges ahead in the Championship.
The Springboks will play Australia in Brisbane and Perth on August 10 and 17, then return to South Africa to face New Zealand in Johannesburg and Cape Town on August 31 and September 7. They will travel to Argentina to play Los Pumas in Santiago on September 21, finishing the tournament in Nelspruit against Argentina on September 28.
Following the Championship, the team will embark on their northern hemisphere tour in November, playing Scotland, England, and Wales on November 10, 16, and 23.
The squad will gather in Johannesburg for a preparation camp before departing for Australia on July 31.
Springbok Squad for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship:
Forwards: Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (captain – Racing 92), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortjé (Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks).
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