Boks release nine players to Currie Cup teams
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus released nine players who are not involved in Saturday’s series decider against Ireland at Kings Park to their provincial unions on Wednesday afternoon.
Six of the nine players, all of whom will rejoin the Boks on Sunday, have Test caps.
They are Trevor Nyakane (prop), Makazole Mapimpi, Edwill van der Merwe (both wings), Andre Esterhuizen, Lukhanyo Am (both centres) and Aphelele Fassi (fullback), with the other three players being Jan-Hendrik Wessels (prop), Phepsi Buthelezi (loose forward), and Morne van den Berg (scrumhalf).
The move will allow the players to get some valuable game time as the coaching staff cast an eye on their historic Test against Portugal in Bloemfontein next week.
“We have a big squad at the moment, and as valuable as it is to have so many players at training, it’s important that we keep the players match fit,” said Erasmus.
“Playing in the Carling Currie Cup is ideal since we are locally based, and the players are only a flight away. We finished the groundwork for Saturday’s Test on Wednesday with the entire squad, and we only have the captain’s run left on Friday, so it makes sense to send some players to their unions to play some rugby.
“This will not only keep them sharp as individuals, it will also assist our cause if we do well against Ireland this week and decide to mix things up in terms of team selection against Portugal.”
Erasmus said he is confident that most of them will make their Springbok debuts at some point this season as the team prepares for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
“Building squad depth has been one of our key pillars since 2018, and as I’ve said, we are building toward 2027, so it’s important that we give a few of the young players a chance to prove themselves at top international level.
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