Augustus, Van der Merwe made their presence felt as Springbok alignment camp kicks off in Cape Town

Stormers star Evan Roos has been the subject of headlines since the squad for the latest Springbok alignment camp was announced, but he is not the only one to have had a sinking feeling.

The second alignment camp of the year is currently underway in Cape Town, and the reduction of players from 83 in March to 54 is significant because the first Springbok game – against the Barbarians on June 28 – is about six weeks away.

The shrinking time-frame to the first game suggests that the players not currently in Cape Town –either in person or online from around the world – have moved to Rassie Erasmus’ outer radar, because the camp is about finalising plans for an imminent international season that stretches from late June to late November, and includes 13 Test matches.

While there was the eyebrow-raising inclusion of Ikeys wing/fullback Ntokozo Makhaza, it is the players left out that have generated much interest.

The omission of Roos is a mystery only Erasmus can explain, and he will be asked about it at his first press conference of the year.

Roos has refined his game for the Stormers this year.

The 25-year-old plays less like a reckless individual and more like a team player, while curbing his hot-headedness, all qualities that should impress the Springbok coach – yet he has been left out.

The man who appears to have taken his place in the No 8 rankings is Juarno Augustus, who will feature for the Northampton Saints in Saturday’s Champions Cup final against Bordeaux in Cardiff.

Augustus left Cape Town for Northampton five years ago as a rough and tough 22-year-old nicknamed “Trokkie”.

He was certainly rough around the edges, but five gruelling years in the English Premiership have seen him mature into an impressive loose forward ready for international rugby.

The Champions Cup sorts the men out from the boys, and Erasmus is clearly impressed by Trokkie’s performances against the best in Europe.

Augustus is a like-for-like replacement for incumbent No 8 Jasper Wiese, who is set to miss the first games of the Bok season with injury.

It is the position of hooker where Erasmus has made significant changes.

Suddenly on the outer are the Bulls pair of Johan Grobbelaar and Akker van der Merwe, and André-Hugo Venter of the Stormers.

The trio were at the March camp, while Grobbelaar and Venter made their Springbok debuts last year.

Also overlooked is Stormers hooker Joseph Dweba.

The newcomer at hooker is the Mbombela-raised Marnus van der Merwe, although he is not strictly “new” because he participated in the Springboks’ alignment camp in February 2024, when he was with the Cheetahs.

The 28-year-old’s move to Cardiff removed him from the Springbok equation, but his consistently good play for the Welsh team has brought him back.

It would also appear that Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ excellent season for the Bulls is to be rewarded with time in the green and gold No 2 jersey.

Regular Bok No 2 Bongi Mbonambi will know that there is fresh talent breathing down his neck.

Young loose forwards who were at the March camp but not invited this time are Mpilo Gumede (Bulls) and Phepsi Buthelezi of the Sharks.

Another Shark to be left out, centre Jurenzo Julius, was a big talking point when he was called up in March, but maybe Erasmus wanted to simply give the youngster a taste of what the Boks are about.

Meanwhile, the Barbarians announced on Thursday that former All Black captain Sam Cane, and Irish stars Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray will be part of the squad to face the Boks in Cape Town.

Players invited to Springbok alignment camp

Forwards: Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nché, Vincent Tshituka (all Sharks), Neethling Fouché, Salmaan Moerat (both Stormers), Cameron Hanekom, Wilco Louw, Ruan Nortje, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Renzo du Plessis (both Lions), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

Backs: Lukhanyo Am, André Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Grant Williams, Makazole Mapimpi (all Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse (all Stormers), Quan Horn, Morné van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe (all Lions), Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie (both Bulls), Ntokozo Makhaza (Cheetahs).

Overseas-based players invited to virtual Springbok alignment camp

Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets).

Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Dynaboars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier).