Embrose Papier and Evan Roos have been released from the Springbok squad as head coach Rassie Erasmus reshapes his group ahead of a demanding schedule against Argentina and New Zealand in the new Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR) series.
The scrum-half and No 8 are among five players who will return to their franchises and could line up against the All Blacks in midweek fixtures forming part of the inaugural RGR programme.
Erasmus has opted to divide his extended 43-man group into two working squads: one to travel to Argentina for a one-off Test, and another to remain in Johannesburg to prepare for back-to-back clashes with New Zealand.
Five players released for midweek All Blacks clashes
The South African Rugby Union confirmed that the following players will be released to their franchises for midweek matches against the All Blacks in the RGR series:
– Ntuthuko Mchunu (prop)
– Evan Roos (No 8)
– Andre-Hugo Venter (hooker)
– Embrose Papier (scrum-half)
– Edwill van der Merwe Williams (wing)
All five, if selected by their clubs, will gain direct game time against New Zealand opposition outside the official Test window – an opportunity Erasmus believes will be crucial in finalising his squad for the RGR Tests.
“The players released to their franchises, meanwhile, will also have an opportunity to face the All Blacks in their respective midweek games if they are selected, which will be invaluable for them once we decide on the final squad for RGR, so we see this as a win-win situation for the team and players,” said Erasmus.
Erasmus explains two-squad strategy
With South Africa beginning their Nations Championship campaign and preparing for the new rivalry series against the All Blacks, Erasmus has emphasised the need for careful player management and competition for places.
“We put a lot of thought into how we will manage the entire group of players to give everyone a chance to stake a claim for places in the squad for the RGR series, and we decided that splitting the squad into two groups will be best for the Springbok team and the players to play their way into the squad,” said Erasmus.
“Some players are returning from injury and need some valuable game time, so depending on how they progress from their injuries during next week’s training camp, we will decide who we will take to Argentina, while the other guys in the 43-man squad will remain behind in Johannesburg with a group of coaches and management to begin preparing for the Tests against New Zealand.”
Erasmus also stressed that workload was a key factor, with several players having featured heavily both domestically and in the early stages of the Nations Championship.
“Then there are other players who have played a lot of rugby this year and for us during the Nations Championship, and need a match off to allow their bodies to recover,” he added.
Van Heerden left out but on standby
Lock Ruben van Heerden, who made his Test debut against Wales last Saturday, is the only member of the Nations Championship squad not to be included in either the Argentina touring party or the Johannesburg training group.
The second-rower has just completed a move from the Stormers to French Top 14 side Montpellier and will instead focus on settling into his new club environment, though he remains available for an international recall.
Rugby authorities confirmed that Van Heerden “will, however, remain on standby for the team” should injuries or form necessitate changes.
Places still up for grabs in RGR squad
Erasmus underlined that the reshuffle is aimed at providing clarity and opportunity ahead of final selection for the RGR series, while also giving injured players the best possible conditions in which to complete their recoveries.
“We are limited in the number of players we can take to Argentina, so it makes sense to give everyone a fair chance to compete for spots in the RGR squad, and some of the players who will train in Johannesburg will be in the final stages of their recovery from injuries, which will allow them to do so under the supervision of our medical team,” he said.
With midweek club matches against the All Blacks, a one-off Test in Argentina and high-profile RGR clashes looming, competition for Springbok places is set to intensify in the coming weeks.
