Unexpected player earns shock Springbok inclusion

The Springboks are set to start the Test season against Wales in June, and there is no doubt that a largely experimental side is set to be selected.

It’s a clash that will fall outside outside of the international window, and therefore most overseas-based players will be unavailable. In addition, if a top South African side reach the URC final, those players involved will also be on domestic duty

When coach Rassie Erasmus recently addressed the media at a press conference in Cape Town, he already acknowledged that the Springboks would be brave in their selections.

“I’m not sure to be honest with you,” Erasmus answered interestingly. “Building a squad, trialing guys, giving guys opportunity, making sure that we always improve on squad depth, transforming the way we do things, trying to stay up to date… we have to try things.

“I would rather win the World Cup than sit at 80%. It’s better than not winning the World Cup at all and sitting at 80 to 85%. We would love to get that win percentage up, but we have to be brave and take chances with youngsters.”

Springboks willing to roll the selection dice

As Erasmus considers all his options, this has led to a notable call to largely unheralded prop Sampie Swiegers, who has earned an invitation to the latest Springboks alignment camp.

The 25-year-old, who captained the NWU Eagles to a Varsity Cup victory last year before signing for the Pumas, will be part of the next virtual alignment camp.

“It’s an incredible feeling and ofcourse a great privilege [to be involved with the Springboks],” Swiegers told Sunday newspaper Rapport. “It actually still feels unreal.”

“I’m going to enjoy every moment, take in as much as I can, and learn where I can.”

“I see this invitation as a step in the right direction. I believe with constant work, I will one day get my chance.”

As the Springbok look ahead to their season-opener against Wales, and here is a look at the full 13 confirmed fixtures.

2024 FIXTURES:

Saturday, 22 June: SA vs Wales (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 6 July: SA vs Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 13 July: SA vs Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, 20 July: SA vs Portugal (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)

Saturday, 10 August: Australia vs SA (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Saturday, 17 August: Australia vs SA (Optus Stadium, Perth)
Saturday, 31 August: SA vs New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 7 September: SA v New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, 21 September: Argentina v SA (Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades, Santiago)
Saturday, 28 September: SA v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)

Sunday, 10 November: Scotland vs SA (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
Saturday, 16 November: England vs SA (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 23 November: Wales vs SA (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)

VIEW FROM THE TOP

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus looked forward to an enthralling tour in November and said: “As a team we want to measure ourselves against the top sides in the world consistently, and facing Scotland, Wales, and England on the year-end tour, two of which we faced in the World Cup, will be fantastic for the team and the players.

“Wales may have had a disappointing Six Nations campaign, while Scotland won two of their five matches and England three, but they are always a force to be reckoned with at home, so we know we have to be at the top of our game when we line up against them.”