Springboks call up Juarno Augustus and rookie Ntokozo Makhaza for second alignment camp

Powerful eighth man Juarno Augustus will join the Springboks for his first alignment camp after being called up by head coach Rassie Erasmus alongside Sharks utility forward Vincent Tshituka and a surprise rookie in Ntokozo Makhaza.

Augustus, affectionately known as Trokkie, has been outstanding for the Northampton Saints and there were increased calls for him to get a Bok look-in, while Congolese-born Tshituka finally received his South African ID which makes him eligible for the national side.

After impressing in the Varsity Cup for the eventual winners, the UCT Tigers, Makhaza gets the nod ahead of linking up with the Cheetahs, for whom he will play during the Currie Cup later this year.

The group for the alignment camp, scheduled for 22 and 23 May in Cape Town, includes 54 local and foreign-based players. Thirty-six of them will join in person, while the overseas players will link up virtually, depending on their availability.

Augustus, Tshituka, and Makhaza will be joined by tighthead props Neethling Fouché (Stormers) and Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Bulls utility forward Cobus Wiese, flanker Renzo du Plessis (Lions) and the Scarlets’ Marnus van der Merwe as uncapped players. Five players weren’t considered due to injury.

The camp will include a series of boardroom sessions as the world champions prepare for the international season, which kicks off with a first-ever home game against the Barbarians on Saturday 28 June in Cape Town.

“This is an exciting bunch of players who have all made their mark in their respective competitions this season, and we are thrilled to invite a few talented new players to the camp,” Erasmus said in a statement.

“They have all made a strong statement in big competitions under immense pressure at times, so we are looking forward to working with them. It’s always difficult to reduce the size of the squad with the abundance of talent in South African rugby, but we were limited in the number of players we could select for the camp, and we are confident that we have sufficient cover in all positions within this group.”

According to the coach, their plans for the start of the season are at an advanced stage.

Apart from the clash with the Baabaas, the Boks will also play incoming Tests against Georgia and Italy, before heading into the Rugby Championship.

“The coaches and management staff have been working around the clock to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for what will be a challenging season, and all the operational and logistical aspects are in place for everything to run as smoothly as possible, so we are excited for the season ahead.”

Players invited to the Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town:

Forwards: Renzo du Plessis (Lions), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouché (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (all Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe (both Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks).

Players invited to virtual Springbok alignment camp:

Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets). 

Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (DynaBoars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier).