New Boks coach, Rassie Erasmus set to name his first Springbok squad in the coming week

The strongest indication yet of the direction the Springboks are headed under new coach, Rassie Erasmus is set to come to light this coming Saturday, as he will name his first squad since taking over the reins in March.

The former Bok loose forward’s first assignment is a once-off Test against Wales in Washington, before his charges return home for a three-match series against England.

With just a matter of days before the Boks take the field for the first time this year, Erasmus already has a few headaches, and will most likely have to pick a new captain, as both Warren Whiteley – who skippered the national side in 2016 – and last season’s leader, Eben Etzebeth are both out injured.

Stormers captain, Siya Kolisi could be the man handed the armband, while Bulls flyhalf, Handre Pollard could also be entrusted with leading the side.

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Springbok Rugby News: Boks to play Wales without overseas-based players

Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus will have to go into his first Test at the helm with a XV comprising of only players based in South Africa.

Erasmus’ men open the 2018 season with a historic once-off Test against Wales, played in Washington DC on 2 June – a date which happens to fall just outside World Rugby’s international window – meaning European clubs risk a fine if they release their players for national duty in this period.

Welsh coach, Warren Gatland has also been dealt a similar blow, as he was forced to leave out his England-based contingent, as he named a squad devoid of the likes of experienced Bath lock, Luke Chateris, and Wocester Warriors wing, Josh Adams.

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Rugby News:- SA Rugby ditch overseas-based player policy

The pool of players available to new Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus has just increased drastically, as SA Rugby have made a change to its selection policy, regarding overseas-based players.

Previously, only players possessing over 30 international caps were eligible for Springbok selection – a rule which incidentally was only in place during former coach, Allister Coetzee’s tumultuous tenure in charge.

Now Sport24 reports that the policy has been scraped, giving Erasmus free reign to select which ever player he so pleases. This was confirmed on Thursday by SA Rugby president, Mark Alexander.

“Rassie is in his last year of preparation before the World Cup, so he can select any overseas-based player,” he said.

“He has just 18 Tests in which to prepare for the World Cup, so we gave him grace.

“Rassie has already spoken to a few play

Rugby News: Jake’s “racist” XV for Wales Test slammed by ex-Bok

Ollie believes Jake has good intentions, but he would be following a “racist policy”.

Former Springbok coach, Jake White has caused a bit a stir in rugby circle’s by suggesting that incumbent, Rassie Erasmus put out a predominantly black team in his first Test in charge, and this did not go down well with former prop, Ollie Le Roux.

The Boks take on Wales in a once-off Test in Washington DC on Saturday, 2 June, with a three-match series against England beginning a week later – and White feels this makes for a perfect opportunity for Erasmus to make some headway towards achieving some transformation targets.

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Springbok News: Erasmus will be allowed to break 30-Test rule for overseas players

Rassie Erasmus is getting a slightly easier ride than Allister Coetzee and will be allowed to pick players for the Springboks who are based overseas and do not meet the 30-Test rule.

Must be nice to be Rassie Erasmus. While strict rules were in place for his predecessor when it came to picking overseas players, Erasmus will be allowed to do so.

According to a report in this weekend’s City Press, he has been given approval to “pick any player who might qualify for the Bok team, provided he gives valid reasons for that player’s selection”.

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While the 30-Test rule still applies, SA Rugby will even make exceptions for that “under certain circumstances”.

The rule was implemented last season to try and stop players leaving the country, but clear

Well Rassie Erasmus is set to pick his predecessors’ brains

Rassie is gathering all the intel he can as he undertakes the tough job of Springbok coach, even seeking pointers from his predecessors.

Rassie Erasmus is undertaking what’s arguably the most unforgiving job in world rugby, and it appears as if he is under no illusions about the task ahead as he is reportedly seeking pointers from some of his predecessors.

Netwerk24 reports that the new Springbok coach has set up a meeting with a few of the men who’ve been in charge of the national men’s rugby team. The meeting will be held in Cape Town on Wednesday night.

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According to the publication, Erasmus is aiming to find out the challenges that they encountered during their respective tenures and hopefully get some insight as to what they would do different

Rassie could involve overseas-based Boks in his plans for next year’s World Cup

We could see a return of the likes of Bismarck du Plessis back in the Bok setup as Rassie prepares for next year’s World Cup.

A number of players plying their trade outside the country could find themselves back in the reckoning for the Boks if director of rugby Rassie Erasmus is to get his way.

According to Rapport, Erasmus has held talks with a number of overseas-based players in a bid to involve them in the setup going into the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

SA Rugby ‘s selection policy as it is does not allow for overseas-based players with less than 30 Test caps to qualify for selection into the national team but, according to the publication, the former Bok skipper has in his sights a few players with only a handful of appearances for the side.

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Rassie Erasmus to be ‘coach‚ but not called Bok coach’

In true South African rugby fashion‚ by gaining clarity on one issue‚ another became muddied in the wake of Allister Coetzee’s sacking as Springbok coach on Friday.

Coetzee and SA Rugby negotiated a settlement‚ the details of which remain private‚ to end Coetzee’s 22-month association with the team.

But after months of dragging out Coetzee’s inevitable sacking after his Springboks won only 11 of 25 Tests (44%) in 2016 and 2017‚ SA Rugby were deliberately vague on the identity of his successor.

Unofficially TimesLIVE has been informed that director of rugby Rassie Erasmus would take up the position as head of a coaching group‚ which includes SA Rugby employees such as defence coach specialist Jacques Nienaber.

But in a statement SA Rugby didn’t go as far as naming Erasmus as Coetzee’s successor‚ rather opaquely indicating that he would be the coach even if he isn’t ‘called Springbok coach’.

“The Rugby Department will manage the

SA Rugby to remain mum on Coetzee’s future until 2018

Those waiting on SA Rugby to announce the decision regarding embattled Springbok coach Allister Coetzee’s future will have to wait until next year before there is any word on that.

In a media release on Friday, SA Rugby said that they would not be in a position to respond to questions on the matter until the New Year.

“A number of meetings and reviews are in progress on all national teams, after which plans for all teams in 2018 will be confirmed,” SA Rugby said.

Coetzee managed just seven wins, beating France (four times), Argentina (2) and Italy, in the Boks’ 13 Tests in 2017, also suffering heavy defeats to New Zealand and Ireland, going down 57-0 and 38-3 respectively.

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This brought his over

Bulls take on Sunwolves without 3 boks

The Bulls will take on the Sunwolves in Tokyo on Saturday without Springboks Handré Pollard, Jesse Kriel and Lood de Jager.

Pollard and Kriel have been rested as per SA Rugby’s player management policy, while De Jager is out with an injury.

In the absence of Pollard, Tian Schoeman will receive his first start of the season at flyhalf, while Warrick Gelant comes in at fullback.

[caption id="attachment_10124" align="aligncenter" width="200"]Bulls take on Sunwolves without 3 boks Tian Schoeman will replace Handré Pollard at flyhalf[/caption]

In the second row, Jason Jenkins will partner RG Snyman at lock, with De Jager falling out of the match 23 due to a quad strain.

Finally, flank Jannes Kirsten will start in place of the injured Ruan Steenkamp, while Hanro Liebenbe