Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a near-unchanged squad for next month’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship tour of New Zealand, with only injury forcing changes to the 38-man group that beat Australia. Erasmus has called up Makazole Mapimpi to replace Kurt-Lee Arendse, while Edwill van der Merwe is ruled out and Cobus Wiese is on standby.

Erasmus emphasised the squad’s stability, stating, “These are the best players we have available and most of them have been part of our structures in the last few seasons.” He added, “The players have been working hard together since our first training camp in June and we are pleased with the continuity and momentum we have built up.”

Looking ahead to the challenge, Erasmus said, “Facing the All Blacks in New Zealand is a tremendous test, but we have the talent and experience to do well.” He stressed the competitive nature of the tournament, noting, “Every team in the competition has the potential to beat one another on the day.”

With fixtures against the All Blacks set for Eden Park and Sky Stadium in September, the Springboks are looking to carry forward their momentum in what promises to be a decisive leg of the Rugby Championship.

Squad Forwards Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

Backs Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).