Zuko Komisa

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has unveiled a 54-player training squad for the initial phase of the international season, which kicks off on June 28 against the Barbarians, followed by the Castle Lager Incoming Series.
The squad, confirmed by SA Rugby on Thursday, largely mirrors the group that attended the second national alignment camp in Cape Town last month.
The extensive squad features 31 players from the victorious Rugby World Cup squad and includes 30 forwards and 24 backs.
Notably, nine players in the group are uncapped and eager to make their international debut in the green and gold.
These new faces are Marnus van der Merwe, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese, Renzo du Plessis, Vincent Tshituka, Juarno Augustus, Ethan Hooker, and Ntokozo Makhaza.
While Fouche and Hooker were part of last season’s training squad, Tshituka and Augustus previously gained exposure to the senior international setup in 2020’s Castle Lager Springbok Showdown.
Five players were not considered for selection due to injury: Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie, and Trevor Nyakane.
“We were very pleased with the two Springbok alignment camps we hosted, and we are excited to have the luxury of announcing a squad with so much depth and talent,” said Erasmus.

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