Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a 33-man squad for South Africa’s final two Rugby Championship clashes against Argentina and the most notable absentee is veteran fullback Willie le Roux, who has been dropped from the squad altogether.
The 36-year-old, a double World Cup winner and long-time mainstay in the Springbok backline, has not been included in the group that will assemble this week ahead of Tests in Durban (27 September) and London (4 October). His exclusion is not injury-related, marking the first clear indication that Erasmus is beginning to phase out one of South Africa’s most experienced players.
The telling, but unsurprising move is a clear sign that Erasmus is backing the younger generation and new combinations as the Rugby Championship heads into a decisive fortnight.
OVERLOOK
Le Roux has earned 101 Test caps since making his debut in 2013, scoring 15 tries and featuring in both the 2019 and 2023 World Cup-winning squads. Known for his tactical kicking, game awareness, and playmaking from the back, Le Roux has been a reliable presence at fullback (and at times on the wing) over the last decade.
He started (and struggled) in the Springboks’ agonising defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park a week and a half ago, but was left out of the match-day squad for South Africa’s emphatic 43-10 win over theKiwis in Wellington this past Saturday.
With Damian Willemse (and Aphelele Fassi) producing a standout performance at fullback in Wellington, and the likes of Canan Moodie, Cheslin Kolbe, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu offering flexibility across the backline, Erasmus appears to be backing younger, more versatile options as the competition enters its final stages.
Commenting on his squad selection, Erasmus said: “This group of players have been together for over 13 weeks now… and we are confident these are the players who give us the best shot to try to retain the title.”
PHASED OUT OF SPRINGBOK SET-UP
Although the squad still features several experienced campaigners, including Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, and Bongi Mbonambi, Le Roux’s absence is the clearest sign yet that the Springboks are beginning a new chapter, building combinations for the next World Cup cycle.
Players like Lood de Jager, Jean-Luc du Preez, and Aphelele Fassi all missed out on selection due to fitness concerns. By contrast, Le Roux is available for selection.
With the Rugby Championship standings finely poised, just two log points separate all four teams, Erasmus has opted form as South Africa chases a successful title defence. Whether Le Roux is part of the plans beyond this tournament remains to be seen.
For now, his omission closes a significant chapter in the Springbok backline, and possibly signals the end of one of South African rugby’s most decorated careers.
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