South Africa tour squad named ahead of Murrayfield visit and includes return of four Rugby World Cup winners

Quartet return from injury for autumn fixtures

Four Rugby World Cup winners have been recalled to the South African squad for their autumn tour of Europe after recovering from injury.

The tour kicks off against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday, November 10 and Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has brought back utility back Damian Willemse, centre Andre Esterhuizen and locks RG Snyman and Franco Mostert after all four missed the recent Rugby Championship campaign. Esterhuizen has recovered from a shoulder injury, while Snyman returns following a foot injury, Mostert is back from a broken leg, and Willemse from a finger injury.

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Erasmus has named a 34-man squad - 18 forwards and 16 backs - for the UK tour which also includes games against England at Twickenham on November 16 and Wales in Cardiff on November 23.

The squad will be captained by Siya Kolisi who last month led South Africa to their first Rugby Championship triumph since 2019. They will leave South Africa on Sunday and head initially to a training camp in Jersey before travelling to Edinburgh on November 3.

Damian Willemse raises the Webb Ellis Cup after South Africa's win over New Zealand in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.Damian Willemse raises the Webb Ellis Cup after South Africa's win over New Zealand in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
Damian Willemse raises the Webb Ellis Cup after South Africa's win over New Zealand in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final. | Getty Images

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Salmaan Moerat (both knee injuries), Steven Kitshoff (neck) and Lood de Jager (shoulder) will also miss the tour.

Erasmus said it had been tough to whittle the squad down to 34 after a total of 49 players had taken the field for the Boks in 2024.

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“There’s no doubt that there are several unlucky players who could easily have made the touring squad, but unfortunately we could only select 34 players,” said Erasmus.

“That said, this squad includes a healthy mix of youth and experience, with most of these players having made a strong statement in the Springbok jersey this year.

“It’s also great to have RG, Franco, Andre, and Damian back in the mix after recovering from their injuries, and we are excited to see what impact they have on the field, especially after their disappointment of missing out on the Rugby Championship.

“Damian, Andre and RG all returned to action in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and have made a strong statement with their performances, and we all know what a work horse Franco is and the quality that he adds to the team, so there’s no doubt they’ll want to make their presence felt against quality opposition in Scotland, England and Wales, who are all ranked within the top 11 sides in the world.”

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England are currently the highest ranked of the Boks’ opponents in fifth position on the world rankings, with Scotland in seventh place, and Wales in 11th position.

Erasmus expected a completely different challenge from the northern hemisphere teams to that which they faced against New Zealand, Argentina, and Australia in the last few months.

“The Castle Lager Outgoing Tour is always a tough test because it marks the end of our international season and the beginning of their season,” said Erasmus.

“That said, the November internationals always present a good challenge for us because the teams we will line up against are among the top sides in the world and they play a different brand of rugby to that which we faced in the Rugby Championship, which we enjoy because it tests us in a different way and allows us to grow as a team.

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“The conditions in the northern hemisphere are also different, which is a new challenge all together, but we are excited about the tour and to see if we can build on what has been a rewarding season for the team so far.”

While Erasmus was hopeful that the Boks could finish the year on a high note, especially after suffering only two defeats in their 10 matches this season – both by only one point against Argentina and Ireland – he admitted that it would take a gallant effort by his charges.

“We are under no illusions about the quality of the opposition we will face, and we have experienced first-hand how their home crowds lift them, much like our passionate supporters, so we know what it will take to be successful over there,” he said.

“Fortunately, we have a squad that believes in themselves and their abilities, and that will be vital as we enter these matches.

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Siya Kolisi of South Africa lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the 2024 Rugby Championship.Siya Kolisi of South Africa lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the 2024 Rugby Championship.
Siya Kolisi of South Africa lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the 2024 Rugby Championship. | Getty Images

“Obviously we’ll take confidence from winning the Rugby Championship, but the reality is that’s now history, and there’s no doubt that will motivate the opposition even more to make a strong statement against us.”

Meanwhile, rugby league convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and former Leicester wing Harry Potter has been named in Australia’s squad for their autumn tour of the UK and Ireland.

New South Wales Waratahs outside-half Tane Edmed, 21, is the third uncapped player in Joe Schmidt’s 34-man squad.

La Rochelle second row Will Skelton, who captained the squad before he was injured at last year’s World Cup, and Japan-based centre Samu Kerevi have also been recalled for the four-Test tour.

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Suaalii has yet to play since making the move from the Sydney Roosters at the end of the season to the Waratahs.

The 21-year-old represented Samoa in rugby league and was sent off for a high tackle just seven minutes into his State of Origin debut for New South Wales in May.

Potter, who was born in England before his family moved to Australia, spent three years with Leicester before moving to the Western Force.

Australia will face Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday, November 24, and will also play Tests against England, Wales and Ireland on the 40th anniversary of their 1984 Grand Slam tour.

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Wallabies coach Schmidt said: “The squad has had a chance to regenerate over the last few weeks. At the same time, it was good to catch up with a wider group of players in the two-day training hubs we had in Canberra and Brisbane last week.

“We have a relatively consistent group but will integrate a few new players on tour.”

South Africa tour squad:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls).

Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

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Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster).

Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

Utility forward: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls).

Scrum-halves: Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

Fly-halves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers).

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Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).

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