Springboks Squad 2026: Winners and Losers vs All Blacks

Ten players returning from injury. A 43-man group assembled for the biggest rivalry in world rugby. Rassie Erasmus has named his squad for the inaugural Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series against the All Blacks and a Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires — and the depth chart looks considerably healthier than it did six weeks ago.

During the Nations Championship, 43 players represented South Africa across victories over England, Scotland and Wales. That number would have been even larger had a lengthy injury list not bitten hard heading into July, with further setbacks arriving in training and against the Barbarians. Now, at the most critical juncture of the season, Erasmus and his coaching staff have been handed a lifeline: no fewer than ten players are fit and available again.

Key Players Return From Injury

Three names headline that returnee group. Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu are back in the mix, and their return transforms the squad's complexion entirely. Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who was superb in the green and gold number 10 jersey last year — particularly in the clash against Los Pumas in Durban — suffered a setback late in the Stormers' season that threatened to rule him out for longer. Thankfully, the injury was not as serious as first feared. He could yet start against Argentina in Buenos Aires before the All Blacks series begins.

Kolisi and Etzebeth were both late withdrawals before the England Test at Ellis Park in round one of the Nations Championship. Their return solves two of Erasmus's most pressing concerns. Etzebeth's presence in the second row is simply irreplaceable — and the numbers back that up. With Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert also fit again, the Boks' lock stocks have been boosted by a combined 298 Test caps. The Etzebeth-De Jager pairing has packed down together 42 times at international level, making them the second most-capped lock combination in Springbok history. Etzebeth-Mostert sits third on that list with 32 Tests together. RG Snyman's absence will still be felt, but with Cobus Wiese and Ruan Nortje firing in the URC, this is a lock group in rude health once again.

Handre Pollard has also recovered from his hamstring strain, giving Erasmus a genuine fly-half headache alongside Feinberg-Mngomezulu — the kind of selection dilemma coaches dream about. At scrum-half, Morne van den Berg has been recalled after Embrose Papier was sidelined late in the Lions season, effectively usurping Papier in the pecking order for now. Utility backs Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie are both fit and firing, as is Andre Esterhuizen, who sustained a cheekbone injury that thankfully required no surgery.

Squad Selection Surprises and Standouts

Among those who emerge from this squad announcement with their reputations enhanced, Paul de Villiers stands tallest. The Stormers loose forward was earmarked by many as a 2026 Test debutant at the start of the year — the injury to Kwagga Smith accelerated that timeline, and when the call came, De Villiers didn't just cope, he thrived. He wore the famous number six jersey with authority against England, Scotland and Wales, winning the man of the match award in the latter. His fight has shifted from simply staying in the squad to contesting a spot in the matchday 23. As I noted in our piece on whether the De Villiers emergence signals a shift in the captaincy conversation, his rise has been nothing short of meteoric.

Vusi Moyo, the 20-year-old Sharks flyhalf who made his debut against Wales in Durban, keeps his place despite Pollard and Feinberg-Mngomezulu's return — a clear signal that Erasmus sees long-term value in the youngster. Erasmus acknowledged himself that Moyo looked nervous at moments, but the coaching staff clearly want to nurture a talent with genuine potential for a long career in green and gold. The one complication for Moyo: if he doesn't feature in any of the four Tests against the All Blacks, he may well miss his chance to face Dave Rennie's side for his franchise too.

Vincent Tshituka's inclusion reflects the Springboks' obsession with versatility. The Sharks leader can operate across the back row and in the second row, making him invaluable in both training environments and matchday squads. That flexibility has earned him his place ahead of players with narrower profiles.

This squad, built on the back of three Nations Championship wins and now supercharged by the return of world-class operators, will gather in Johannesburg before heading to Buenos Aires. Victor Matfield's recent assertion that the All Blacks will be tested by the Boks' aggressive defence feels significantly more credible with this group assembled. The Pumas Test in Argentina comes first — and then the rivalry that needs no introduction.