Stormers, Sharks, and Bulls players fight for a chance to make the All Blacks squad in the Currie Cup

The selection process for the Springboks squad for the upcoming match in the Rugby Greatest Rivalry against New Zealand has entered a decisive phase. Rassie Erasmus formed a squad of 43 players in Johannesburg to begin preparations for the test match against Argentina next month.

Squad Planning and Competition

The Bok coach welcomed the return to fitness of ten experienced players after injuries. He also announced plans to split the squad over the next two weeks to give every athlete a chance to prove themselves before attention shifts to major confrontations with the All Blacks.

With Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Handré Pollard, and André Esterhuizen back in contention, the competition for positions has reached an unprecedented level. Below are five players who will have the most to gain in the next two weeks.

Individual Player Prospects

Paul de Villiers significantly raised his profile during the international games in July. This Stormers forward demonstrated the characteristics of a Test-level player through his tireless work rate, ball-carrying skills, and intensity in defense. Kolisi's return means that position number 6 is no longer vacant, and Marco van Staden intensifies the competition. If De Villiers can maintain his form against Argentina, Erasmus may be forced to find him a place in the 23-man day squad.

Cobus Wiese became one of the standout stories of July. Whether playing in the tight five or as a versatile forward, he brought the physical power, lineout presence, and relentless work ethic that Erasmus demands. Although the returns of Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, and Franco Mostert have significantly complicated the competition, Wiese's versatility could prove crucial. Another impressive match will strengthen his chances of featuring against New Zealand.

Carlu Sadie quietly proved that he measures up to this level. This tighthead from Bordeaux-Bègles impressed in scrums and on the field, helping to restore the Springboks' dominance in set-piece play, which was the initial focus of the July tests. As Thomas du Toit and Wilco Louw are also under active consideration for selection, and Frans Malherbe will return later in the season, the competition for the tighthead position is likely as fierce as anywhere else in the squad. Another strong performance against Argentina could help Sadie cement his place in the rankings before the Greatest Rivalry series.

Quan Horn surprised many in July. The Lions defender looked confident handling high balls, boldly joining attacks, and seamlessly fitting into the Springboks' system when required. He even occasionally played at winger, highlighting the versatility Erasmus values in his backline. With Aphelele Fassi, Damian Willemse, Cheslin Kolbe, and Kurt-Lee Arendse, opportunities in the three back positions are limited, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's return eases depth issues at winger. However, Horn's ability to cover multiple positions makes him a genuine contender for the Greatest Rivalry series.

Herschel Jantjies quietly returned to the fight for a Springboks spot after being dropped from the squad in recent seasons. The experienced midfielder remains a balanced game manager with a sharp threat running out wide, but the competition has intensified. Grant Williams has established himself as the primary contender, Morne van den Berg returned from injury, and Cobus Reinach continues to earn Erasmus's trust. Given that Jaden Hendrikse is also expected to return later this year, every opportunity is invaluable. A polished performance in Buenos Aires could remind the Bok coaches why Jantjies was once their number one choice and strengthen his chances of making the squad for the clash with New Zealand.

The Lions team is facing a difficult task of balancing its squad within the Currie Cup tournament amid the upcoming visit of the All Blacks. Although attention is focused on the Currie Cup, four South African franchises are beginning to feel the pressure associated with the greatest rivalry in rugby (RGR).

Upcoming All Blacks Tour

The Bulls, Lions, Sharks, and Stormers have scheduled matches against the All Blacks next month. The Cape Town-based team will host the New Zealanders first on August 7th at the Cape Town Stadium. This will be followed by games against the Sharks and Bulls; the first match of the series is set for August 22nd, and the final tour match against the Lions is scheduled for the following Tuesday, after which the remaining three matches will take place.

Balancing Between Tournaments

The Stormers' match is just over two weeks away, and how the franchises balance their current obligations in the Currie Cup with their plans for the pre-season United Rugby Championship (URC) will be crucial for being able to play a respectable match against a strong opponent.

Situation at the Lions

The young Currie Cup Lions team was actively preparing for its Day 2 match against the Pumas at Ellis Park on Saturday (starting at 15:00). Meanwhile, the URC squad is resting this week and will return next week to continue pre-season preparation.

In their opening tournament match, the Lions narrowly lost to the Free State Cheetahs with a score of 29-27, but this occurred with a relatively inexperienced 23-man squad. The squad included only players such as prop Morgan Naude and Conrad van Nieuwen, lock Ruan Delport, forwards Renzo du Plessis and Jarrod Cairns, halfback Sam Francis, winger Rabz Maxweyn, and centre Rinehardt Jonker.

Coach's Strategy

In upcoming games, they will likely select mostly the same team, but there are already several players who can be used in the RGR match. On Tuesday, coach Mzwakhe Nkosi announced that they will continue to play with the current squad in the coming weeks, as player development is a key goal during this Cup campaign.

Nkosi stated: 'As we did in the last three Currie Cups, overall we will be playing with these guys.' He added: 'Part of the job here is introducing these guys to top-class rugby. We had many guys who performed excellently at the Under-23 level and deserve a chance. They are good enough to succeed.' He continued that they surrounded these players with several experienced athletes, such as du Plessis, Cairns, Maxweyn, Delport, and others like them, and hope that such an environment will yield a good result.

Nevertheless, Nkosi noted: 'Speaking of which, a large number of guys are training in the pre-season for the URC and RGR. Seeing the All Blacks, it won't be an easy game either. Dave (Rennie) is the new coach, so many guys will be trying to make an impression. This will be an important game for us, and we must try to field the best team the franchise can provide.'

Potential Squad Reinforcements

It is understood that the Lions might be further strengthened for the RGR match due to the possible return of halfback Morne van den Berg and fullback Quan Horn. Both players are seeking game time—the former returns from a biceps injury, and the latter continues his preparation with the Springboks.

Scheduling Difficulties

However, complicating the planning for the coming weeks is that the Lions will play against the Boland on August 14th, and then against the Sharks on Friday, August 21st. They will have two matches to potentially showcase more URC players, but they will also have to consider the very quick turnaround after the Durban game, which raises concerns about injuries.

Furthermore, both of these matches could determine their Currie Cup campaign, especially the fixture against the Sharks, so juggling priorities in the coming weeks will be a difficult task. Ultimately, they will have to choose between advancing in the Cup or achieving a respectable result against the second All Blacks team, which will still be formidable.