Sports
Springboks Kick Off 2025 Preparations with Strategic Camps and Alignment Sessions
The Springboks will set their plans in motion for the 2025 season as Rassie Erasmus and his management team host the first in-person coaches’ strategic session of the year. This will be followed by a three-day alignment camp with 56 domestic players in Cape Town next month.
This gathering marks the first official Springbok camp since their remarkable 2024 international season. Erasmus and his staff will also conduct virtual alignment sessions with overseas-based players, injured domestic players, and promising young talents who were not invited to the in-person camp.
Strategic Planning for a Busy Season
The Springbok coaching team will convene in Cape Town on Friday, 7 March, for a three-day planning session. The upcoming season includes the Castle Lager Incoming Series in July, the Rugby Championship from August to October, and the Outgoings Tour in November.
The alignment camp, concluding on Wednesday, 12 March, will focus on physical preparation and team strategy, featuring two gymnasium sessions and boardroom meetings to ensure players understand the expectations and standards for the year ahead.
Among the 56 invited players, 18 are members of the 2023 Rugby World Cup-winning squad, 10 of whom were also part of the victorious 2019 campaign, while five played in the 2015 tournament. Additionally, 22 capped national players are part of the group.
The camp also includes players who have previously participated in national alignment camps, the SA ‘A’ team, or the Springbok setup, such as Celimpilo Gumede, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, and Henco van Wyk. Meanwhile, emerging talents like Jurenzo Julius, JF van Heerden, and Reinhardt Ludwig will get their first taste of Springbok rugby.
Erasmus: Blending Experience with New Talent
Erasmus expressed his satisfaction with the squad selection, highlighting the mix of seasoned players and new prospects.
“Our alignment camps have been crucial in recent years, providing a platform to introduce our structures, the Springbok culture, and our way of doing things,” Erasmus explained.
“This camp is about ensuring everyone is aligned for the 2025 season, which is key to building a strong foundation for the challenging year ahead.”
Discussing the squad’s composition, Erasmus noted:
“Most of these players have been part of our structures at some point in the past seven years. Their experience will be invaluable in guiding the younger players. Others have had previous exposure to our environment, so they have a solid understanding of how we operate.”
“I’m also excited about the inclusion of new players who have excelled at franchise level. This camp gives them a chance to see what is expected at the highest level.”
Momentum from a Stellar 2024 Season
Erasmus emphasized that the coaching staff had already laid a solid foundation in recent months, closely analyzing player performances in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, Investec Champions Cup, and EPCR Challenge Cup.
“We’ve been involved in multiple coaching meetings and have been tracking players’ form in domestic and international competitions. From a planning and analysis standpoint, we’re in a strong position. Now, it’s about translating that preparation into execution.”
This will be the first of three alignment camps designed to prepare the Springboks for their international fixtures, including back-to-back Tests against Italy on 5 and 12 July, followed by a clash against Georgia on 19 July in the Castle Lager Incoming Series.
The Springboks will then defend their Castle Lager Rugby Championship title, starting with home matches against Australia on 16 and 23 August. They will then travel to New Zealand for encounters against the All Blacks in Auckland and Wellington on 6 and 13 September. The campaign continues with a home fixture against Argentina on 27 September, before concluding with a showdown against Argentina at Twickenham on 4 October.
Full Squad for Springbok Alignment Camp
Forwards:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Ethan Bester, Phepsi Buthelezi, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane
DHL Stormers: Ben-Jason Dixon, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche, Deon Fourie, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, Evan Roos, Andre-Hugo Venter
Emirates Lions: Renzo du Plessis, Francke Horn, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter
Vodacom Bulls: Johan Grobbelaar, Celimpilo Gumede, Cameron Hanekom, Wilco Louw, Reinhardt Ludwig, Ruan Nortje, Gerhard Steenekamp, Akker van der Merwe, JF van Heerden, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese
Backs:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams
DHL Stormers: Paul de Wet, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse
Emirates Lions: Quan Horn, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Henco van Wyk
Vodacom Bulls: Sebastian de Klerk, David Kriel, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Embrose Papier
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Sourced: SA Rugby
