Rassie offers hope to excluded players ahead of Springbok alignment camp

While the Bok coach cast a pretty wide net by selecting 43 players - 16 of them uncapped - to attend the first camp of the year, inevitably a few notable omissions caught the eye, including exciting talents like Hacjivah Dayimani and Embrose Papier, former Boks Aphelele Fassi and Joseph Dweba, Bulls hooker Akker van der Merwe, World Cup hero Deon Fourie and more.

However, Erasmus took to social media over the weekend to warn against seeing his selections for the camp as definitive and to make it clear there was still hope for any players who did not make the list.

"Hope 2024 is going well! Guys and ladies just some info," the Bok coach wrote on X. "Remember an alignment camp does not mean those are the only players who will play for the Springboks this year!

"Just like in the past there is a purpose for every camp! Have a lekka weekend!"

The 43 players will assemble in the Mother City on Monday 4 March for two days where Erasmus and his new coaching staff will lay out their plans for the 2024 season.

"We are delighted that the new coaching team will meet in person for the first time and that we will have the opportunity to present solid structures and the Springbok culture and way of doing things to the invited players," Erasmus said about the upcoming strategic session.

"The focus at this camp will be to get everyone on the same page for the 2024 season and we believe this will lay a good foundation for us looking forward.

"Jerry (Flannery) and Tony (Brown) are going to play vital roles in this coaching team, and we are excited to see them along with our other coaching staff put proper steps into action as we prepare for the challenging season ahead."

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