Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has unveiled a promising lineup featuring four uncapped players for the upcoming Qatar Airways Cup match against the Barbarians in Cape Town on Saturday , marking the start of the international season, Cape town Etc reports.
The team blends experienced veterans with new faces, signalling a focus on both performance and future development.
Among the uncapped players, prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye and flanker Vincent Tshituka will start, while hooker Marnus van der Merwe and prop Neethling Fouche join the bench. These selections reflect the coaching staff's confidence in the new players' ability to integrate quickly into the team's strategies. Alongside these newcomers, seasoned lock Lood de Jager returns to the squad, partnering with Jean Kleyn in the engine room. De Jager's inclusion is particularly noteworthy as he plays his first Test match since a 2023 Rugby Championship game, returning after overcoming significant injuries.
The team also includes recent arrivals from the Vodacom Bulls, RG Snyman, and flyhalf Handre Pollard, who joined the squad late after competing in their respective league finals. Of this group, only utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels is included in the matchday 23, as others continue to ease into international play.
Preparations have been underway since the squad gathered in Cape Town, following a two-week training period in Johannesburg. Utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit has also rejoined after recovering from injury, bringing the squad size to 46 players. Erasmus has assembled a familiar core in the backline, with dynamic backs like Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, and Kurt-Lee Arendse set to combine in the back three. The midfield will feature experienced centres Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel, both double Rugby World Cup winners, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Morne van den Berg are poised to manage the game from halfback.