Earlier this month the Springboks revealed a squad of 55 players as part of an extended training group ahead of the new season, which kicks off with a ‘friendly’ of sorts against the Barbarians on 28 June.
Erasmus named nine uncapped players in his 55-man squad for that clash against the Barbarians, and although it enabled the coach to have a look at a wider group of players, a ‘first-choice’ squad will soon be named ahead of the July Tests.
The Springbok boss confirmed that he would reduce the size of his squad after taking stock of any further injuries suffered in the United Rugby Championship final between the Bulls and Leinster at Croke Park in Dublin on Saturday evening.
“We will wait to see if there are any injuries from the URC final and then announce the group of players on Sunday that will get together next week,” he said.
“That said, it doesn’t mean that those players are the only ones who will be in the mix this year. There are players who are returning from injury within the next few weeks and months, and we would definitely like to see some of the players who have been playing well get a chance this season.”
Springboks building up a head of steam for 2025 season
With their opening match of the season against the Barbarians a little over two weeks away, Erasmus said the focus in the next two weeks and in the match itself will be to get their own structures in place as they prepare for a challenging international season.
“It’s difficult to plan around the Barbarians because they are a team consisting of players from many different countries, so our focus in that match will be our game and what we want to achieve,” he said.
“It will serve as a good opportunity for the players who have returned from Japan to get back into the swing of things, and perhaps to give a few players who have not played Test rugby a feel of what it is to play at this level.”
