South Africa have named 11 uncapped players in an expansive training squad for their upcoming Tests against Ireland, Wales and Portugal.
The world champions take on Andy Farrell's Ireland side on 6 July in Pretoria and on 13 July in Durban.
Former Munster centre Damian de Allende last week said he expects the first clash in Pretoria to be like a "war" as the hosts look to win a first match in four games against Ireland.
Farrell is expected to name his squad next week.
The Springboks also face games against Wales on 22 June in Twickenham and then host Portugal in Bloemfontein on 20 July.
A total of 35 players will begin preparations today in Pretoria for the Springbok's first outing since winning the World Cup last October.
The newcomers are all home-based with Jordan Hendrikse, Quan Horn, Edwill van der Merwe, Morne van den Berg from the Johannesburg-based Lions; Phepsi Buthelezi, Siya Masuku, Ethan Hooker from the Sharks in Durban; and Ben-Jason Dixon, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Neethling Fouche and Andre-Hugo Venter from Cape Town’s Stormers, who lost in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship quarter-final away at Glasgow Warriors.
Players based in Europe will not be considered for the Test against Wales at Twickenham, while no one from the Pretoria-based Bulls, who advanced to next weekend’s URC semi-final against Leinster, was considered for the training squad.
Rugby World Cup-winning out-half Handre Pollard and number 8 Jasper Wiese, who is serving a six-week ban, will be allowed to train, but only be available for selection in July, when the Springboks host Ireland in a battle of one versus two in the world rankings, plus the international against Portugal.
"We selected a group of players featuring a good mix of youth and experience, and in terms of the young players especially, we believe they have the potential to make the step-up to top international rugby," said Erasmus.
"With the players based in Europe, the UK and Ireland not available for Wales, we anticipate that there will be a few players making their Test debuts in that match, but even for those who do not make the cut, having them in camp and getting the chance to work closely with them on the field will set them and the team in good stead as we prepare for this season and start laying the foundation for the 2027 World Cup in Australia."
SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD
Backs: Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Jordan Hendrikse (Lions), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi, Siya Masuku (both Sharks), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe (both Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Forwards: Phepsi Buthelezi (Sharks), Joseph Dweba, Ben-Jason Dixon (both Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Evan Roos (Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Blu Revs), Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers).
Watch highlights of all the weekend's URC action on Against the Head, 7pm, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
Watch the URC semi-final, Bulls v Leinster, on Saturday from 2.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Follow a live blog on the URC semi-final, Munster v Glasgow Warriors, on Saturday from 6pm on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
