Springboks Recall Jasper Wiese for New Zealand Tour, but Brother Cobus Misses Out
Springboks recall Jasper Wiese for New Zealand tour, but brother Cobus misses out as the squad gears up for two tough Rugby Championship Tests against the All Blacks in Auckland and Wellington during September.
In a key squad announcement that has rugby fans buzzing, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has brought back powerful number eight Jasper Wiese for the upcoming tour to New Zealand. However, there is no spot for his younger brother Cobus in the 36-man group set to face the All Blacks in two Rugby Championship clashes. Jasper will only be ready for the second match in Wellington on 13 September, due to a four-Test suspension that keeps him out of the opener in Auckland on 6 September. This selection shows Erasmus’s trust in a mix of experience and form, as the team looks to keep their winning streak against New Zealand going strong.
The Springboks are coming off a solid win over Australia in Cape Town last Saturday, which helped them bounce back from a surprise loss in Johannesburg two weeks before. With the Rugby Championship wide open—each of the four teams has grabbed at least one victory in the first two rounds—this tour could decide who takes the title. South Africa sits at the top of the standings with nine points after two games, ahead of New Zealand on five, Australia on five, and Argentina on four. The matches in New Zealand will be massive, especially since the All Blacks have not lost a Test in Auckland since 1986, and the Springboks’ last win at Eden Park came way back in 1937.
Jasper Wiese’s Return and Suspension Details
Jasper Wiese, a hard-hitting loose forward known for his strong carries and tough defence, earns his recall after serving time for a serious on-field incident. He was sent off for head-butting an Italian opponent during an international match in Gqeberha last month, leading to the four-Test ban. This meant he missed out on recent games, including the warm-up against Georgia and the early Rugby Championship fixtures.
In his place, Erasmus tried out a few options, including Jasper’s brother Cobus against Georgia. Cobus, a 23-year-old lock who plays for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship, impressed in that game with his lineout skills and work rate. He made his Springboks debut in 2021 against Georgia, showing promise as a future star. However, despite his potential and family ties—Jasper and Cobus are from Upington and share a close bond on and off the field—Cobus did not make the cut for this tour. He remains on standby, ready if injuries hit the squad.
Jasper’s ban stems from a moment of poor discipline that drew widespread criticism. The incident happened in a dominant win over Italy, where South Africa scored 45-0, but Wiese’s red card overshadowed the performance. World Rugby’s disciplinary panel handed down the suspension, considering his clean record but stressing zero tolerance for head contact. Jasper, who plays club rugby for Leicester Tigers in England, has used the time off to focus on fitness and skills, and his return adds real grunt to the back row for the Wellington clash.
Asenathi Ntlabakanye’s Doping Case and Exclusion
Another notable absence is tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who has been left out after testing positive for a banned substance during random checks by the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport. The 26-year-old, known for his scrummaging power and mobility, disputes the findings and insists he has not broken any anti-doping rules.
“Ntlabakanye disputes that he has committed an anti-doping violation,” said South Africa Rugby in a statement on Sunday. The substance is described as non-performance enhancing and was prescribed by a specialist doctor early in 2025 for medical reasons. In similar cases, athletes have claimed contamination from supplements or food, leading to lengthy legal battles. Ntlabakanye, who plays for the Lions in Johannesburg, has requested a test of his B-sample to challenge the result. If cleared, he could return, but for now, he stays home to deal with the process.
This case highlights the strict rules in rugby to keep the game clean. Boldenone, the substance involved in some reports, is an anabolic steroid often linked to veterinary use but banned in sports. Ntlabakanye has a solid reputation, having earned caps for the Springboks since his debut in 2022 against Wales. His exclusion opens doors for others like Vincent Koch and Wilco Louw to step up in the front row.
Key Returns Boost the Squad
On a brighter note, several stars are back after missing the Australia game due to injuries. Loose forwards Pieter-Steph du Toit and captain Siya Kolisi, both vital to the team’s success, have been cleared to play. Kolisi, the double Rugby World Cup winner, was first thought to miss the tour with a minor niggle, but medical checks gave him the green light. His leadership and work at the breakdown are huge for the side.
Also returning are prop/hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels, number eight Jean-Luc du Preez, and experienced full-back Willie le Roux, who has over 100 caps. Le Roux’s vision and kicking game add depth to the backline. These comebacks strengthen the team, especially in the forwards where depth is key against a physical All Blacks pack.
However, wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe stay sidelined with knee and ankle injuries from the Johannesburg loss to Australia. Arendse, a speedy try-scorer, and van der Merwe, who shone in the World Cup, are big misses on the flanks. Makazole Mapimpi steps in, bringing his finishing skills to the wing.
Erasmus’s Thoughts on the Challenge Ahead
Erasmus kept faith in most of the players from the Australia matches, naming a squad split between 20 forwards and 16 backs. “The Rugby Championship is wide open with all four teams having won a match in the first two rounds, so this tour is going to be vital for us,” said Erasmus. “Facing the All Blacks in New Zealand is a massive challenge, but all the teams in this competition are ranked among the top sides in the world, and can beat one another on the day.
“We won our last four matches against the All Blacks dating back to 2023, which marked only the second time in history that we defeated them four times in a row, and that will motivate both teams.”
Those wins include a thumping 35-7 in a World Cup warm-up in London, a tight 12-11 in the 2023 World Cup final in Paris, and two hard-fought victories in South Africa this year—31-27 in Johannesburg and 18-12 in Cape Town. This streak is only the second time South Africa has beaten New Zealand four in a row, the first being between 1937 and 1949. The All Blacks will be fired up to end it on home soil, where they have a fearsome record.
The Full Springboks Squad for New Zealand
Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (capt), Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese.
Backs: Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse.
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