Springbok squad named: six uncapped players for November Tests

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named a 37 man squad on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, for the Boks' last four Tests of the year in the Nations Championship, and six players are uncapped: Yaqeen Ahmed, Sebastian de Klerk, Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Riley Norton and Emmanuel Tshituka (SA Rugby). Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Andre Esterhuizen and Handre Pollard are out injured (SA Rugby).

Who are the six new Springboks?

Source: SA Rugby.

All six have been in the Bok set-up before. Ahmed, Giliomee, Muller and Tshituka played for SA 'A' against Zimbabwe, Norton played against the Barbarians earlier this season, and De Klerk attended last season's national alignment camp (SA Rugby).

"We've had all six players on our radar for a while now, and they've delivered consistently for their respective franchises in the last two seasons, so they thoroughly deserve their call ups," Erasmus said (SA Rugby).

Who is missing from the squad?

SA Rugby says Kolbe, Etzebeth, Esterhuizen and Pollard were ruled out because of injuries (SA Rugby). The Citizen reports that Kwagga Smith and RG Snyman are also injured, and that players who were involved earlier in the season but miss out include Johan Grobbelaar, Cobus Wiese, Ben-Jason Dixon, Carlu Sadie, Boan Venter, Elrigh Louw, Vincent Tshituka, Deon Fourie, Herschel Jantjies and Quan Horn (The Citizen).

When do the Springboks play in November?

Dates from SA Rugby; venues from The Citizen. Kick-off times and TV details were not part of the squad announcement, so check SA Rugby closer to each match.

Where do the Boks stand in the Nations Championship?

SA Rugby says the Springboks lead the Southern Hemisphere standings on points difference, tied on 15 points with New Zealand, after July wins over England, Scotland and Wales (SA Rugby). The squad assembles in Italy in groups on Sunday and Monday (SA Rugby).

What is the full Springbok squad?

• Props: Thomas du Toit, Ox Nche, Wilco Louw, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen, Gerhard Steenekamp
• Hookers: Malcolm Marx, Jan-Hendrik Wessels
• Locks: Lood de Jager, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Nortje, Riley Norton, Franco Mostert
• Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers, Siya Kolisi (captain), Cameron Hanekom, Emmanuel Tshituka, Jasper Wiese
• Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden
• Scrumhalves: Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams
• Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Luan Giliomee, Manie Libbok
• Centres: Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Markus Muller, Canan Moodie
• Outside backs: Sebastian de Klerk, Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian Willemse

Source: SA Rugby.