Augustus Invited To Second Bok Alignment Camp

It’s been a long time coming for the former Junior Springbok captain and 2017 World Rugby Under-20 Player of the Year, but his stellar form in helping the Saints reach next weekend’s Investec Champions Cup final against Bordeaux-Begles has earned the hard-running No. 8 an invitation to his first national alignment camp.

Erasmus also surprised by including Ntokozo Makhaza. The 23-year-old wing was named both the 2025 Varsity Cup Player of the Year and played a pivotal role in the Ikey Tigers’ emphatic 44–21 victory over Maties in the final. He contributed a remarkable 32 points in the decider, bringing his season tally to 155, and will join the Cheetahs for the upcoming Currie Cup.

A third first-time invitee is Congolese-born Vincent Tshituka. The Sharks back rower, who has also appeared at lock for the Durban franchise this season, recently received his South African ID, clearing him to represent South Africa.

The group include eight uncapped players – Augustus, Tshituka, Makhaza, Renzo du Plessis, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Marnus van der Merwe, and Cobus Wiese.

Meanwhile, Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie, and Trevor Nyakane were not considered for the alignment camp due to injuries.

The camps will take place in person in Cape Town for local players, and virtually for players based outside South Africa, on Thursday 22 May and Friday 23 May respectively.

Thirty-six players will attend the in-person camp, with 18 players currently plying their trade abroad in Japan and the northern hemisphere joining virtually, training schedule permitting.

The camp will include a series of boardroom sessions over the two days as the Boks gear up for the international season, which kicks off on Saturday 28 June with the first-ever home game against the Barbarians. This will be followed by the July internationals, the Rugby Championship, and the traditional end-of-the-year tour in November.

“This is an exciting bunch of players who have all made their mark in their respective competitions this season, and we are thrilled to invite a few talented new players to the camp. They have all made a strong statement in big competitions under immense pressure at times, so we are looking forward to working with them,” said Erasmus.

“It’s always difficult to reduce the size of the squad with the abundance of talent in South African rugby, but we were limited in the number of players we could select for the camp, and we are confident that we have sufficient cover in all positions within this group.

“The coaches and management staff have been working around the clock to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for what will be a challenging season, and all the operational and logistical aspects are in place for everything to run as smoothly as possible, so we are excited for the season ahead,” Erasmus added.  

Players invited to Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town (in alphabetical order):

Forwards: Renzo du Plessis (Emirates Lions), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Emirates Lions), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Emirates Lions), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe (both Emirates Lions), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

Players invited to virtual Springbok alignment camp (in alphabetical order):

Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets).

Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (DynaBoars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier).