Springboks Ready to Fire: Full-Strength Squad Set to Clash with All Blacks

Rethabile Nyelele23 July , 2025

The Springboks are gearing up to unleash a near full-strength squad when they face the All Blacks in the 2025 Rugby Championship. This marks a shift from the experimental line-ups used earlier in the season. Having rotated a whopping 46 players over their opening four games, the Boks now look set to field a far more settled side for the upcoming blockbuster encounters.

Squad Rotation Gives Way to Stability

South Africa wrapped up their incoming series last weekend, following convincing victories over Italy in Pretoria (42-24) and Gqeberha (45-0). They also achieved a dominant win against Georgia in Mbombela (55-10), and a strong showing against the Barbarians in Cape Town (54-7). These matches allowed every squad member to get game time. Only Evan Roos and Ethan Hooker clocked the least – just 24 minutes each in the second Italy Test.

Of the 46 players who featured, 39 got more than one outing, and all except five played at least 40 minutes. Captain Siya Kolisi, having returned from injury, featured in just one match, having missed the first three.

Smaller Squad, Bigger Intentions

Although a trimmed 36-man squad for the first two Rugby Championship matches was expected to be named on Tuesday, the announcement has been slightly delayed. Nevertheless, Bok management has made it clear. This next phase of the campaign will feature the core group of players earmarked for the toughest tests of the season.

Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick dismissed any suggestions. He clarified that the current selections are not aimed solely at building towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

“It’s still too early to start talking about the 2027 World Cup squad,” Stick explained. “Right now, our focus is this season. We’re building depth while still aiming to win. The Rugby Championship is a major step up and we have to be ready for those challenges.”

He added that the team’s performance this year is crucial, especially with the World Cup pool draw looming. “It’s important that we end the year in a strong position to influence our standing for the draw,” Stick said.

Depth Built, Time to Deliver

The past few weeks have provided Bok coaches with a valuable opportunity. They were able to test combinations, assess form, and blood new talent. With players like Cobus Wiese, Boan Venter, and Marnus van der Merwe earning Test caps, the squad has gained depth and versatility. But as the calibre of opposition rises, the margin for error tightens.

Now, with the Rugby Championship on the horizon, the emphasis will be on execution, discipline, and experience. These elements are crucial for top-tier clashes.

Championship Tests Ahead

The Springboks will face a gruelling Rugby Championship schedule, including a home clash against Australia. They will also face two away games against New Zealand, and back-to-back fixtures against Argentina. With such high-stakes matchups, the Bok brain trust is expected to lean on their most experienced and battle-hardened players.

Coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed that the time for broad experimentation is over—at least for now.

“In the Rugby Championship, we’ll bring in one or two new faces,” said Erasmus. However, he claimed that the majority of the squad will be made up of seasoned players who fit the playing style they’re building. “This is a clear step up from tier-two nations and warm-up games. We need to be at our best.”

With the All Blacks waiting in the wings, South Africa’s selection shift signals intent. The Springboks are done with testing the waters; they’re now ready to dive in headfirst with their best artillery.