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Faf de Klerk, Makazole Mapimpi, Vincent Koch, Willie le Roux, and Lukhanyo Am are the five Springbok veterans omitted from the latest 46-man squad for the July Test matches. The decision has left fans and pundits wondering if their time in the green and gold is coming to an end.
At 34, Faf de Klerk finds himself on the outside looking in again. Having dropped down the pecking order behind Embrose Papier, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, and a recalled Herschel Jantjies, De Klerk’s path back to the matchday 23 has continued to close. This is not the first time De Klerk has faced this challenge. In 2018, he was also left out of the squad, only to return and win the World Cup with South Africa in 2019.
Makazole Mapimpi, a 35-year-old lethal finisher, now looks most likely to serve as an emergency back up rather than a frontline squad member. With South Africa’s current wealth of outside back talent – including Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, Canan Moodie, Edwill van der Merwe and electric rookies like Jaco Williams – Mapimpi’s legendary Test career has likely reached its final chapter.
Vincent Koch, 36, was another omission from the final 46-man squad. At the initial extended training camp, “Mr. Incredible” was part of the team, but his exclusion from the final squad indicates that Rassie Erasmus is actively grooming the next generation of front-row juggernauts. Koch remains a respected elder statesman, but his days in the primary Bok tight-five rotation are effectively over.
The quiet exclusion of Willie le Roux, a 36-year-old fullback, is another clear sign of an ever-increasing changing of the guard. Despite ongoing questions around absolute fullback depth, Erasmus’ decision to leave Le Roux out signals a definitive move toward a future centred around Damian Willemse, Aphelele Fassi, and converting young talent like Quan Horn into a playmaking fullback role.
Lukhanyo Am, once widely regarded as the finest outside centre on the planet, has not featured in a Test since November 2024. Despite being only 32, his trajectory has been severely derailed by troublesome injuries and subsequent dips in form. With Jesse Kriel and Canan Moodie making up the current pecking order at centre, it is a challenge for Am to force his way back into the international conversation.
The latest Bok squad features a mix of experience and youth, with several uncapped players included in the group. Rassie Erasmus has made it clear that he is focusing on building the next World Cup-winning team and blooding more newcomers.
The Springboks face a busy July schedule with several Test matches lined up. Fans will be hoping to see some of the new faces feature in the starting lineup and make their mark on the international stage.
The exclusion of these veterans marks the end of an era for South African rugby. Fans will be sad to see their heroes go, but they will also be excited to see the new talent emerge and take over.
The Springboks have a rich history of producing talented players who go on to achieve great things. Who will be the next stars to emerge from the Bok setup and make a name for themselves on the international stage?
The latest Springbok squad is:
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Zachary Porthen (Stormers), Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Bègles), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh).
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers).
Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Ruben van Heerden (Stormers).
Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers (Stormers), Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Evan Roos (Stormers), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Riley Norton (Stormers), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Embrose Papier (Bulls), Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Handre Pollard (Bulls).
Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside and utility backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Jaco Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers).