South Africa captain Siya Kolisi, along with 11 other players from the Rugby World Cup-winning squad, will not be available for selection for the upcoming Test against Wales at Twickenham on June 22, as announced by SA Rugby. Injuries, club commitments, and retirements have ruled out these players, particularly those based in Europe, the UK, and Ireland. The match falls outside the international window, allowing teams outside South Africa not to release players. However, eight South African players based in Japan have been selected for the squad. Head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a squad of 18 forwards and 17 backs for a training camp in Pretoria, excluding fly-half Handre Pollard and No. 8 Jasper Wiese for the Twickenham Test. The squad includes 11 uncapped players, emphasizing the importance of blooding new talent for the future, aiming to build a strong foundation for the 2027 World Cup in Australia. The upcoming fixtures include matches against Ireland, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Scotland, England, and Wales, forming a busy schedule for the team.
