Surprise inclusion Stormers centre Jonathan Roche (left) was a surprise inclusion in the Springboks' virtual alignment camp squad on Wednesday. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Stormers rookie centre Jonathan Roche and Lions scrumhalf Nico Steyn were the surprise inclusions on Wednesday for head coach Rassie Erasmus's virtual Springbok alignment camp in March.
The 22-year-olds will join 24 other players for the one-day session next month with the bulk of that group consisting of foreign-based Boks not attending the 56-man in-person camp from 10-12 March in Cape Town.
Erasmus and his assistant coaches will host two online sessions on Wednesday, March 27, to accommodate those in Japan, Europe, and locally due to time zone differences.
Bulls loose forward Elrigh Louw, scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies (Stormers) and prop Trevor Nyakane, and flyhalf Siya Masuku (both Sharks) are the other domestic players invited to the session.
Roche and Steyn's inclusion aligns with Erasmus' philosophy of continuing to build for the future by exposing junior players to the Springbok system early on.
The world champions are set for a blockbuster season, starting with Tests against minnows Italy and Georgia in July, before a tough Rugby Championship that includes two away clashes in New Zealand against the All Blacks.
They end the year in Europe with Tests against France, Italy, Ireland and Wales, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
While last year was a perfect season for experiments, the first three Tests this year will also allow Erasmus to blood more rookies. However, as they look to defend their Rugby Championship title and build on their unbeaten form from the year-end tour, the Bok heavyweights will be particularly needed against the French and Irish.
Scrumhalf Nico Steyn in action for the Lions. The rookie also received an invitation to the Springboks' virtual alignment camp. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
“It is vital for us that all the players on our radar are exposed to our plans and goals for the season, so we intend to replicate our presentations to the group in Cape Town with these players, so everyone is on the same page as we embark on this challenging season,” Erasmus said in a statement.
“With a wide group of players invited to the respective alignment camps, we are excited to grow our player base and expose all these individuals to the national structures, as well as to explain expectations of them for the forthcoming season.
“Many of these players have won a World Cup before. But, we made it clear before the 2023 showpiece in France that we must continue adapting and improving to remain at the top of our game. Not only this season but also as we build toward the 2027 World Cup in Australia.”
Erasmus added options are being investigated for a match prior to the Incoming Series, when the Boks take on Italy in back-to-back Tests on 5 and 12 July, followed by a clash against Georgia on 19 July.
Players invited to the virtual Springbok alignment camps: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Dynaboars), Damian de Allende, Lood de Jager (both Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez (both Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier), Herschel Jantjies (Stormers), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Trevor Nyakane (Sharks), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Siya Masuku (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Jonathan Roche (Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Nico Steyn (Lions), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).