If fielding 51 South African players in 2024, including 12 debutants, wasn’t enough, Rassie Erasmus could choose even more players this year.
South African rugby currently has such depth that there are players who can actually consider themselves unlucky not to have obtained a Springbok cap, despite an unusually high number of players being trialled in the first year of the World Cup cycle.
On the upcoming episode of RugbyPass TV’s Boks Office, host Hanyani Shimange, former Springboks coach Nick Mallett, and Springboks assistant coach Gary Gold identified six players they believe will earn their first Bok caps in the coming year.
The trio each chose two players to whom Erasmus should give a chance in 2025, as the defending world champions seek an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title in 2027.
Ethan Hooker, a 21-year-old utility back for the Sharks, has gained the attention of the other two players since his debut in 2023.
“Ethan Hooker,” he announced. “He’s a centre and he’s a centre with pace and great physical abilities, offloading, great defensively and just fits into our style of centres that we have.”
Neethling Fouché
Mallett selected 31-year-old Stormers tighthead prop Neethling Fouché as his second option. He believes Fouché can compete technically with the existing Springbok tighthead, which is the highest accolade a prop can receive at the moment.
“As a tighthead prop I think Neethling Fouché is a guy that they have overlooked and I think technically he would be right up there with Frans Malherbe,” said the player. “Maybe Thomas [du Toit] the Tank can run around the field with the ball better but I think that Neethling is a proper scrummaging tighthead prop who can also tackle and carry”
Gold concurred with Mallett, noting, “Neethling is not only technically sound, but he is also good around the park. He’s mobile for a tighthead, which doesn’t sacrifice his stature, weight, or strength. But he moves around the park.”
According to Mallett: “Not to take anything away from [Vincent] Koch, who has been there for two World Cups, but I think there’s a place for this guy, I really think he must get a chance.”
David Kriel
Gold’s initial pick came in the form of the Bulls’ 102kg/1.96mDavid Kriel, like Hooker, is at ease in both the midfield and the defense three. However, Gold sees the 25-year-old wearing the Springboks’ No.12 shirt.
“Seeing as he’s taken Ethan Hooker, I think another centre, somebody who shouldn’t be overlooked is David Kriel,” stated the player.
“David Kriel is big, he’s tall, he’s physical, he passes brilliantly, he’s got a terrific kicking game, aerially he’s excellent, he has a great temperament, and he’s also versatile – he can play in a couple of places, though No.12 is his position – competitive, and I really like him.
JC Mars
JC Mars, a 19-year-old full-back who recently made his Stormers debut against Harlequins in the Investec Champions Cup, is being compared to Cheslin Kolbe.
“Another up-and-coming guy I really like is JC Mars,” Gold told me.
“I believe he has enormous potential. He came in for the Stormers a few weeks ago and scored a terrific try that was Cheslin-esque; I absolutely love those types of guys. It helps us play by creating enormous platforms with our big forwards and then allowing the backs to play. “I really like him; I think he’s fantastic.”
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Suleiman Hartzenberg
Shimange chose his Stormers backline teammate, Suleiman Hartzenberg, who is only two years Mars’ senior.
Hartzenberg, like the others on this list, is a flexible backline player, something Erasmus has long liked.
“For me, I think Suleiman Hartzenberg the Stormers wing, can cover No.12 and also a backline player,” Shimange told ESPN.
Celimpilo Gumede.
The Bulls’ 24-year-old back-rower Mpilo Gumede was the last pick, with Shimange stating, “He’s gone off the boil a bit at the Bulls, recall how he started off. [Cameron] Hanekom has kept him out, therefore he has not played much. He’s a large ball carrier, speedy, and hits hard.”
The three mentioned names like Sanele Nohamba, Ruan Vermaak, and Jurenzo Julius, highlighting South Africa’s diverse skill pool and Erasmus’ numerous possibilities.
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