South Africa confirm 33-member squad for Rugby Championship

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed a 33-man squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship campaign.

The squad captained by Siya Kolisi sees Bulls second row Ruan Nortje earning a recall after making his only Springbok appearance that came in 2022. The remainder of the squad was recently part of two-game Ireland series and a clash against Portugal.

The squad consists of 22 players from the Rugby World Cup winning squad while Franco Mostert, Jean Kleyn, Lood de Jager, Steven Kitshoff, Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Canan Moodie and Damian Willemse are unavailable due to injuries.

Jasper Wiese is currently unavailable due to suspension while Andre Esterhuizen is awaiting a disciplinary update following his red card in the recently concluded game against Portugal.

"This is a quality group of players, which includes a mixture of youth and experience, and we believe this is the best group of players we could select," said Erasmus.

"We rested some players before the match against Portugal to recharge for this competition and we are excited to see the energy they'll bring back to the squad.

"We've also included a few younger players who made a strong statement in the tests we played so far this season."

South Africa will kick-start their Rugby Championship campaign with a clash against Australia to be played on 10th August at Suncorp Stadium.

South Africa squad:

Forwards: Ben-Jason Dixon, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Grobbelaar, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (captain), Elrigh Louw, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Salmaan Moerat, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels

Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams