Rassie Erasmus rotates Springboks squad for upcoming tour

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has omitted several key players from the upcoming end-of-year touring squad, a move that former All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen suggests is a strategic decision to rest veterans for the World Cup.

Players such as Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe, Andre Esterhuizen, and Handre Pollard are absent from the squad. Hansen noted that Erasmus appears to be giving older players a breather to maintain their performance levels. To compensate for these absences, the touring party includes six uncapped players, a move Hansen described as rolling the dice to provide opportunities for younger talent.

Additionally, veteran winger Makazole Mapimpi remains sidelined with a hamstring strain. Despite previous intentions to see Mapimpi reach 50 Test caps, his recent injury history and the emergence of younger options like Ethan Hooker, Canan Moodie, and Edwill van der Merwe may impact his international future. Mapimpi currently sits on 47 caps.