Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has invited an extended squad of 56 players to an alignment camp in Cape Town next month as preparations for the 2025 international season begin.
All players are based in South Africa and are spread out between the Sharks, Stormers, Bulls and Lions.
With a host of players based overseas, Erasmus has broadened the pool as wide as possible with the 2027 World Cup and an effort at a third successive Webb Ellis Cup in mind.
The three-day camp from 10-12 March will see the players spending the bulk of their time in the boardroom engaging in meetings, while the overseas-based players will engage in similar sessions over video conference call.
The large number of players included makes it impossible to read too much into what Erasmus is thinking in terms of his plans for the year, but one name that stood out immediately was that of 38-year-old Deon Fourie, who is back in the mix after missing 2024 with injury.