Rassie Erasmus on senior Springboks: 'Some guys left out can still play'

"There are guys left out who we know can still play for the Springboks this year," Erasmus told Rapport.

"But why invite someone to an alignment camp where he has to listen again to how and why we do things? There might be four or five changes that I can simply send him on WhatsApp."

Erasmus' comments come amid speculation about the future of several experienced Springboks. Several senior members of the squad were absent from the first 2026 alignment camp in Cape Town, prompting questions about whether their international careers are over.

Notable omissions included hooker Bongi Mbonambi (82 Test caps), prop Vincent Koch (63), and fullback Willie le Roux (101). Other senior players whose futures remain uncertain are scrumhalf Faf de Klerk (60) and prop Trevor Nyakane (64).

The Bok coach also addressed the idea of farewell matches for players nearing the end of their Test careers.

"Some guys want a farewell match or a last match, but I didn't have one," said Erasmus, who played 36 Tests between 1997 and 2001.

"Neither did Steven Kitshoff [who was forced to retire last year because of a neck injury]. Everyone knows that everything doesn't always end perfectly - but then you get people who decide, I'll show you, it's not going to end like that for me. And that's what we want."

READ MORE: John Dobson admits concern about negative press surrounding Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu