Rassie Erasmus announced the 26-man Springboks squad for the match against Argentina

Springbok Women forward Aseza Hele has returned from an arm injury to the national team's starting lineup for the upcoming tour to Fiji in August.

Return and preparation for the tour

The 31-year-old player sustained an arm injury earlier this year that required surgery. However, on Tuesday morning, she was included in the 26-person squad led by coach Sue de Bruin, indicating a full recovery.

Hele established herself as an outstanding player at the Women's Rugby World Cup, where she scored a hat-trick against Brazil and helped the Bok Women reach a historic quarter-final. Known for her immense physical strength, her return is a significant advantage for De Bruin and his team, as her absence was very noticeable during the recent two-match test series against the USA in South Africa.

Match series and squad changes

In this series, which ended in a 1-1 draw between the two teams, De Bruin relied on Logan Welman to occupy a backline position. Welman scored two tries in the first match against the USA at Ellis Park stadium and played all 160 minutes in both games. Nevertheless, the 20-year-old Welman was dropped from the squad to make way for the much more experienced Hele.

Hele joins a quartet of players returning to national duties: hooker Lindelva Gwala, Patience Mokone, and Zintle Mpufa. De Bruin also included two players without international experience—Shikwika Lamprecht and Maria Tischermbu, both of whom transitioned from sevens to fifteens.

Coach's comments and team composition

Sue de Bruin stated via an SA Rugby release on Tuesday: 'Both played well in the sevens tournament this year. I am pleased to see how their skill set enhances our playing style.' He added: 'Furthermore, Aseza and Lindelva bring a lot of experience that we need, as we currently lack some experienced players in the rehabilitation program.'

One player who remains unavailable is versatile defender Nadine Roos, who is sidelined until the end of the year due to injury. Additionally, a group of players will remain in Stellenbosch to continue recovering from various injuries and undergo extra training. These include Sanelisive Charlie, Micke Gunther, Danelle Lochner, Logan Welman, Unam Tose, Jackie Silliers, Ayanda Malinga, and Afife Ngvevu.

The Bok Women will travel to Fiji on Wednesday with assistant coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September. They will play in a two-match test series against the host team, the first of which is next Saturday in Suva. De Bruin, who will remain in Stellenbosch with an expanded squad during the tour, noted: 'It will be a tough trip. For us, in 2026, it all comes down to stepping outside the comfort zone, and in this case—time zones. It is a long journey, but within the broader plan, we must do it when the next World Cup is held in Australia.'

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has presented a list of 43 players who will gather in Johannesburg. This squad is intended to prepare for the upcoming match against Argentina in Buenos Aires on August 8th, as well as for the series of 'Rugby Greatest Rivalry' (RGR) matches against New Zealand.

Return and Squad Management

As part of tactical division, Erasmus decided to send five players to their home clubs so they can gain game experience during friendly matches against touring All Blacks. Simultaneously, ten experienced Springboks players have returned from the injured list.

Among the high-profile players returning from injuries are props Eben Etzebeth and Luke de Jager, versatile forward Franco Mostert, captain Siya Kolisi, midfielders Sacha Phelenberg-Mngomezulu and Handre Pollard, versatile back-rowers Ethan Hooker and Keenan Moody, centre/flanker Andre Esterhuizen, and midfielder Morne van den Berg.

Planning and Player Rotation

Meanwhile, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Evan Roos, Andre-Hugo Winter, Embrose Papier, and Jaco Williams have been released to play for their clubs. Prop Ruben van Heerden, who debuted for the national team against Wales last Saturday, was excluded from the main squad to allow him to adapt at his new French club Montpellier, although he remains in reserve.

Erasmus emphasized that the decision to split the group was made after careful consideration to give every player a chance to prove themselves before the RGR series. He noted that splitting into two groups would be the best option for the Springboks team and the athletes themselves, allowing them to earn a spot in the squad.

The coach added that some players are recovering from injuries and need valuable game time. Therefore, the selection of participants for the trip to Argentina will depend on their progress during next week's training camp. The remaining players from the 43-man squad will stay in Johannesburg with the coaching staff to begin preparations for the matches against New Zealand.

Benefit of Rotation

Erasmus stressed that this arrangement benefits all parties. Players sent to their clubs will get the opportunity to face the All Blacks in relevant mid-week matches, which will be invaluable experience when forming the final squad for the RGR. Thus, it is viewed as a 'win-win' situation.

He also explained that since the number of players who can go to Argentina is limited, it is fair to give everyone equal chances. Some players training in Johannesburg will complete their recovery phase under the supervision of the medical team, while others, who have played a lot of rugby, need a break to recover their bodies.

Pre-South American Match Warning

Looking ahead to the confrontation in South America, Erasmus warned against underestimating the Los Pumas team. He noted that they are a quality team that has proven its capability in previous encounters. Furthermore, he reminded that Los Pumas defeated them in Argentina the last time they met there in 2024, so the team intends to send a strong contingent to Buenos Aires.

Currently, the Springboks are resting with their families before gathering in Johannesburg on Sunday. The group traveling to Argentina will fly out in two waves next Sunday and Monday.