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Autumn Nations Series

Rassie Erasmus fires early 2027 World Cup warning to rivals

Josh Raisey

155 days ago

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus before the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

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.

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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.

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“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.”

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Comments

20 Comments

DC 153 days ago

Setting up the ref fix yet again. First Barnes for the RWC title they clearly didn’t deserve. Pearce was next. Getting swept in the third world would have been a tragedy to all those Saffa thickos. And now Carley.

Rassie really degradea himself to be loved by 60+ million ignorants.

Archibald 153 days ago

Jump naaigie, jump! Good doggie. 🤣🤣🤣

AP 153 days ago

Next RWC final will be SA vs. - it doesn't really matter.

cw 154 days ago

While Rassie has used 49 players it appears he used the same 16 of 23 players against the tier one teams, ABs, France and Ireland and the same 21 players against France and Ireland. Most importantly only six forwards did not play all three and only Ox, Wessels and van de Merwe played in just one. One of them was red carded out of the last game - Lood de Jager. So his depth building is strong, but like the other coaches - when fronting up to the other tier one teams he goes to the same key players.

CC 153 days ago

Yeah, but how many other teams can rest an entire tight 5 and only have 1 problem spot on the bench?

LH: Ox, Steenekamp, JHW, Venter

HK: Marx, JHW, Grobbelaar

TH: du Toit, Louw, ?

LK: Eben, RG, Kleyn

LK: Lood, Nortje, Mostert

Bazzallina 154 days ago

Somebody like Tonga or Samoa who just scraped in will have a different team at the World Cup and time before and during tournament to actually train together both could end up being a real dangerous round 16 or pool natch for some teams whenever they play half the team is at their clubs and then later in the year it’s the other half

Dave Didley 155 days ago

“I’d like to thank the provincial unions and clubs who released these players to represent the country this weekend…”

What a difference a few years make! His media dealings have improved no end.

Ed the Duck 155 days ago

Maybe he could give you a few pointers diddles, you could sure use them…!

Eric Elwood 155 days ago

See below:

If SA get into pool E or F, Erasmus will start whittling down quickly to the Core squad capable of winning two big matches in a row. The other contenders need to be in E or F and need SA not to be.

Australia will be in Pool A as second seeds. As there are 6 pool winners then 2 Quarter finals will involve Pool winners versus non pool winners. I.e. the winners of Pool E and Pool F will not face a Pool winner until the semi. They also won't have to face Pool A second place (Australia). We need a little luck. Pool E or Pool F please!

Dave Didley 155 days ago

The draw will be interesting. I do have a feeling that on the back of it, France may drop focus for the 6N and target more depth building. First time Italy beat them was just before the 2011 RWC. They didn’t seem too worried.

Depends on the side of the draw but a team like Argentina could get a serious run, even make a final. No pressure of being top of the pile and would only need to build momentum in tournament. Still more than capable of beating anyone.

It is a bit exciting to be fair.

Ed the Duck 155 days ago

Don’t worry eric, the whole format has been adjusted to help ireland actually win a knock out match! Unless of course the current slide has deteriorated so far that they can’t even manage a round of 16 win by then…😉🤣

Ps how are your various campaigns coming on?

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