South Africa 'A' are the second national rugby union team representing South Africa, below the senior national team, the Springboks. The South Africa 'A side was formerly known as the Junior Springboks or the Emerging Springboks until 2018, it was also under the South Africa Under-20 team in the country's rugby hierarchy, but World Rugby changed its regulations to prohibit unions from designating an U20 team as its second 15-a-side team.
History They competed in the Nations Cup in 2007 and 2008 alongside the full national teams of Namibia, Romania and Georgia as well as Argentina Jaguars and Italy A. They also sporadically play touring sides such as the British and Irish Lions.
The team is made up of players of all ages and is not a youth side. It is used most recently to give potential Springboks a taste of international rugby or to give experienced Springboks playing time to improve fitness or form.
Modern era In the professional era, South Africa 'A has operated as a secondary national side that is assembled on an occasional basis rather than competing in a regular competition. The team is used by the South African Rugby Union to provide playing opportunities for a wider group of players within the national system, including uncapped players and established Springboks returning from injury or seeking match fitness.
Since the 2010s, appearances by South Africa 'A have been relatively infrequent, with squads selected primarily for specific tours or matches against visiting international teams and professional clubs. One of the most notable recent uses of the side came during the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour, when a South Africa 'A team featuring a large number of Test players defeated the British & Irish Lions in Cape Town.
Results 2026
2022
2021
2017
2016
2009
2008
2007
Current squad
South Africa A squad to face Zimbabwe as part of the 2026 curtain-raiser for the Springboks vs. Barbarians match in Gqeberha.
2026 South Africa 'A' LineupProps Boan Venter Neethling Fouche Oliver Reid Hanro Jacobs
Hookers Siphosethu Mnebelele Liam van Wyk
Locks Vincent Tshituka (c) Ruben van Heerden Adré SmithLoose forwards Emmanuel Tshituka Batho Hlekani Phepsi Buthelezi Siba Mahashe
Scrum-halves Haashim Pead Imad Khan
Fly-halves Yaqeen Ahmed Nico SteynCentres Lukhanyo Am Markus Muller Jurenzo Julius
Wingers Zekhethelo Siyaya Jaco Williams
Fullbacks Luan Giliomee
Previous squads 2021 South Africa 'A' squadProps Thomas du Toit Lizo Gqoboka Steven Kitshoff Vincent Koch Wilco Louw Trevor Nyakane Coenie Oosthuizen
Hookers Joseph Dweba Malcolm Marx Fez Mbatha
Locks Jean-Luc du Preez Rynhardt Elstadt Eben Etzebeth Franco MostertLoose forwards Pieter-Steph du Toit Nico Janse van Rensburg Kwagga Smith Marco van Staden Jasper Wiese
Scrum-halves Faf de Klerk Herschel Jantjies Sanele Nohamba Cobus Reinach
Fly-halves Elton Jantjies Morné SteynCentres Lukhanyo Am Damian de Allende Jesse Kriel Wandisile Simelane
Wingers Cheslin Kolbe Sbu Nkosi Yaw Penxe Rosko Specman
Fullbacks Aphelele Fassi Willie le Roux Damian Willemse
See also South African Barbarians South Africa President's XV
References