THE Springboks have released nine players – six with Test experience – ahead of the second and final Test of the series against Ireland in Durban tomorrow.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus wants them to at least have some form of match experience ahead of their possible selection for the Boks’ historic test against Portugal in Bloemfontein next weekend.
After announcing his match 23 for the Test against the Irish at Kings Park (kick-off 5pm), Erasmus said he would release some players.
Yesterday, it was announced that World Cup winners Trevor Nyakane (prop), Makazole Mapimpi (winger), Lukhanyo Am and Andre Esterhuizen (both centres) would be released to the Sharks. At the same time, fullback Aphelele Fassi and No 8 Phepsi Buthelezi also returned to the Kwazulu-Natal union as they prepared to face Griquas today.
Prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels of the Bulls returned to Loftus, while the Lions duo of winger Edwill van der Merwe and scrumhalf Morne van den Berg also returned to Ellis Park.
They are expected to inject experience into their sides and gain some valuable game time ahead of a possible return to the Bok set-up for the Bloemfontein showdown. Van der Merwe made his Springbok debut against Wales last month, while some of the other youngsters are yet to taste international rugby.
“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,” Erasmus said.
“Playing in the 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 (today), so it makes sense to send some players to their unions to play some rugby.
“This will not only keep them sharp as individuals, but it will also assist our cause if we do well against Ireland this week and decide to mix things up regarding team selection against Portugal.”
Should the Springboks get the desired result tomorrow, a new-look team is likely to be selected to face the Portuguese as the world champions look to finish their mid-year Tests on a high. They cannot lose the series against the Irish, but there is still a chance for the visitors to draw level. Erasmus named an unchanged 23-man squad, showing their intent to secure a first series win since 2016 over the world’s second-ranked side.
Erasmus praised the players for their hard work and dedication at training and he was confident that most of them would make their Springbok debuts at some stage this season.
“Some of the players played against Wales at Twickenham and I’m sure they are excited to get back onto the field in a proper match before joining us again on Sunday. The other players haven’t played rugby in a few weeks, although they have trained hard and with intent for us.
“The reality is that there is no substitute for real game time. We know they’ll return even sharper and hopefully we can give many of them a chance against Portugal.
“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.”