The Springbok squad may have been selected, but they’re not the only squad heading to Gqeberha.
Following thousands of entries from rugby fans across South Africa, Betway has officially selected the 23 supporters who will form the Betway Squad and have their names featured on the back of the Springbok shorts when the Springboks take on the Barbarians on 20 June.
For one game only, the Betway logo will be replaced with the names of 23 South Africans, giving supporters the opportunity to become part of the Springbok story as the team kicks off a pivotal 2026 season. Together, they form the 23 behind the 23, the supporters whose names will be carried onto the field in a way no fans ever have before.
The selected group includes lifelong Springbok supporters, multi-generational rugby families, first-time match attendees, and fans from across the country, each bringing their own unique story and connection to the green and gold.
Among them is Yvette Van Der Westhuizen, whose selection carries special significance. Her father represented Eastern Province against the British & Irish Lions in 1974, making the opportunity to have her name carried onto the field in the Eastern Cape more than 50 years later a full-circle rugby moment.
For Durell Bruintjies, who grew up in Schauderville in Gqeberha, rugby has been a lifelong source of purpose and inspiration. Having played the game throughout his life, he sees the opportunity as a celebration of his journey, his family and the community that shaped him.
Tando Funde’s connection to rugby runs deep. Growing up in King William’s Town, where rugby is woven into the culture of the community, she followed local heroes such as Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am and even played for her hometown club, Rock of Ages. Seeing her name carried onto the field by a Springbok is, in her words, “heaven on earth”.
And for Unathi Pebe, support for the Springboks is a family inheritance passed from one generation to the next. “We love rugby because the values on the field match the values in our home,” she says. “Loyalty, grit and the belief that we are always stronger together.”
These stories, while different, all speak to the same thing: the unique role rugby and the Springboks play in connecting South Africans across generations, communities, and backgrounds.
“The Springboks have always enjoyed incredible support from South Africans, and initiatives like this recognise the important role fans play in the team’s journey,” says Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby. “The response to this initiative has been remarkable, and we’re delighted that 23 supporters will have the opportunity to see their names carried onto the field as we begin an exciting new season in Gqeberha.”
“We launched this campaign to celebrate the people behind the team, and the response from South Africans exceeded all expectations,” says Jason Shield, Head of Sponsorship at Betway Africa. “Every one of these supporters has their own story, their own connection to the Springboks and their own reason for getting behind the team. This is our way of recognising the fans who stand behind the Boks every step of the way.”
THE BETWAY SQUAD (Listed in alphabetical order)
- Anton Swart
- Carlin April
- Chris Young
- Dalvene Titus
- Danie Prinsloo
- Denzil De Wet
- Durell Bruintjies
- Grant Britz
- Junaid Adonis
- Keevan Bonaparte
- Kim Frost
- Koos Bergh
- Lezinda Bester
- Lucian Coombs
- Nthabiseng Ndini
- Palesa Sihlahla
- Shaun Sharpe
- Sibu Ngidi
- Steed Richardson
- Tando Funde
- Unathi Pebe
- Yvette Van Der Westhuizen
- Zoe O’Neill
The selected supporters will travel to Gqeberha during match week for the ultimate Springbok experience. The group will join the Springboks at the Captain’s Run, where they will discover which player will carry their name onto the field, before enjoying a full matchday experience as the Boks open their 2026 season against the Barbarians.