Rassie Erasmus to confirm Springbok squad for All Blacks after Argentina Test

Rassie Erasmus will only name his final Springbok squad to face New Zealand in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series once South Africa have completed their warm-up Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires.

The All Blacks have already announced their group for the four‐Test series and will prepare with three fixtures against South African URC franchises – the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls – before the opening Test at Ellis Park on 22 August.

By contrast, Erasmus is using the additional build‐up time, including the trip to face the Pumas, to make his last selection calls.

“The squad for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry will actually only be finalised 100 per cent after the Argentina match,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

Selection to be settled after warm‐up schedule

South Africa’s warm‐up Test in Buenos Aires has become the key marker in Erasmus’ planning, with performances there set to determine the final composition of the group to take on New Zealand.

Only once that match is completed will he lock in his choices, despite the All Blacks already having clarity on their travelling party.

The Springboks’ coaching team will also use New Zealand’s tour games against local franchises as part of their assessment process, both in terms of opposition analysis and player evaluation.

Sharks clash to offer final audition

Erasmus is expected to wait at least until after the Sharks’ fixture against the All Blacks on Tuesday, 11 August, before making any formal announcement.

That encounter forms part of New Zealand’s warm‐up schedule and will feature players who have been released from the Springbok set‐up to turn out for their franchises.

The Springbok director of rugby views those provincial matches as a valuable opportunity for fringe and returning players to test themselves against the All Blacks in a high‐intensity environment similar to Test level.

The timing also allows Erasmus and his staff to study Dave Rennie’s New Zealand side in detail, although he has indicated that his immediate focus remains on his own squad and the Argentina Test.

Erasmus recalls facing touring giants

Reflecting on the benefits of franchise players facing elite touring teams, Erasmus drew a parallel with his own playing days.

“When I toured with the British & Irish Lions in 1997, I played my first Test for the Springboks, but I also played in the midweek game for Free State against the British & Irish Lions,” he said.

“That was the last Lions tour I was part of. The great thing is that my jersey from that match is framed alongside a British & Irish Lions jersey.

“It’s a massive honour to face the haka, to play against New Zealand and experience that occasion. The first time you face it is very special.”

For Erasmus, those memories underpin his willingness to release players to their franchises to face New Zealand ahead of the Test series, believing those experiences can accelerate development and sharpen form before he settles on his final squad for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.