New Ulster signing Augustus named in Springboks squadpublished at 11:30 5 June

Augustus has joined Ulster after a four-year spell with Northampton Saints
New Ulster signing Juarno Augustus has been named in an extensive 54-man South Africa squad for the world champions' first four internationals of 2025.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus has retained 31 of his 2023 Rugby World Cup-winning squad, with 27-year-old back row Augustus - who has joined Ulster from Northampton Saints - one of nine uncapped players included.
In addition to Augustus, Scarlets hooker Marnus van der Merwe, forwards Neethling Fouche and Asenathi Ntlabakanye, flankers Renzo du Plessis and Vincent Tshituka, utility forward Cobus Wiese and Sharks centre Ethan Hooker are hoping to feature at Test level for the first time.
Backline talent Ntokozo Makhaza, who has recently signed for Toyota Cheetahs, has also been included.
The Springboks face the Barbarians in Cape Town on 28 June, followed by Tests against Italy in Pretoria and Gqeberha on 5 July and 12 July before a 19 July match against Georgia in Nelspruit.
In a busy year, the Springboks will also play Tests against Italy, France, Ireland and Wales as part of their European tour in November.
"We are excited to have the luxury of announcing a squad with so much depth and talent," said Erasmus.
"Having an expanded squad will not only afford us the opportunity to have productive training sessions, but it will also bode well for the younger players in the group to learn from the senior players, many of whom are Rugby World Cup champions.
"With a few more talented youngsters in this group, we hope that they will learn valuable lessons and stake a strong claim for places in what will be a challenging, yet exciting season."
South Africa squad
Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Renzo du Plessis (Lions), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (both Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (both Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks).