1
{{item.n}}
Rassie Erasmus fires early 2027 World Cup warning to rivals
By Josh Raisey
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has highlighted the “depth we have been developing” after selecting 49 different players this year.
Erasmus named his final Springboks squad of the year on Thursday to face Wales at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, with the line-up featuring plenty of rotation.
Following a 2024 where Erasmus played 51 players across the year, he has followed that up with another year full of variety, with “an eye on the 2027 Rugby World Cup,” he explained.
VIDEO
With the match in Cardiff falling outside the Test window, the Boks were aware that they would be without some of their biggest names heading into the contest, including World Rugby player of the year Malcolm Marx, as well as Boan Venter, RG Snyman, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Grant Williams, Handre Pollard, Manie Libbok, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, and Edwill van der Merwe. This, however, has only forced Erasmus to try different players and combinations.
Starting winger Ethan Hooker made his debut for South Africa this year against Italy in July, and has since gone on to be scratching on the surface of Erasmus’ preferred Bok XV. Likewise, replacement props Zachary Porthen and Asenathi Ntlabakanye were also debutants in 2025, which is a sign of the depth the double world champions are building.
“We’ve used a total of 49 players in Test matches this season, which is a testament to the depth we have been developing with an eye on the 2027 Rugby World Cup,” Erasmus said.
“We knew from the outset that we would lose players for this match due to their club commitments, and we are pleased with the quality of the team we’ve selected.
“We’ve been rotating our players throughout the year, and this group has been together for close to five weeks, so many of these combinations are fully settled, while others, such as Zachary and Asenathi, have shown what they are capable of this season, and we are excited that they will receive another chance to play.
“I’d like to thank the provincial unions and clubs who released these players to represent the country this weekend, so we could field a strong side capable of finishing off our November tour on a high note.”
To be first in line for Rugby World Cup 2027 Australia tickets, register your interest here
