Wanted: Springboks’ hookers for the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.
When considering the upcoming franchise rugby season and the key places in the Bok squad that coaches Cassie Erasmus and the other coaches will need to fill, that is likely one of the most significant sticky notes that will be placed in their offices.
This will be a crucial Champions Cup and United Rugby Championship season for a number of local hookers hoping to earn a spot in the 2027 World Cup by catching the attention of the Springbok manager and his assistants.
Although South Africa has a wealth of skill at practically every position on the field, the hardest post to fill before the 2027 tournament in Australia will likely be that of
By then, Malcolm Marx will be thirty-three years old and undoubtedly still be raring to go.
However, Bongi Mbonambi, the other beast for the Boks who gave it all during a very stressful match in France, will be 36. Mbonambi is battling Father Time to survive, but his experience will be invaluable.
Furthermore, there is no possibility that Deon Fourie, who is currently in his late 30s, will qualify for a second World Cup in four years.
For this reason, particularly in the URC and Champions Cup this season, individuals who are next in line have a great chance to impress Erasmus and his coaches. However, who are they No
2s exactly?
Well, Stormers hooker Joseph Dweba, 26, was on the standby list for the World Cup, and even though he wasn’t called up after Marx’s injury, he will definitely come into play during next year’s international season.
So too Johan Grobbelaar, 25, at the Bulls, who has toured with the Boks before, but hasn’t made his debut yet.
These two local hookers have the best chance of joining the squad after the World Cup.
Many young hookers will also be trying to make an impression at their unions. Some of these players include Fez Mbatha, 24, of the Sharks, André-Hugo Venter, 22, of the Stormers, and JJ Kotze, 23. Other players who will want to weigh in on the debate are Kerron van Vuuren, 28, of the Sharks, and Akker van der Merwe, 32, of the Bulls.
Mbatha has previously been called to a Bok alignment camp, but he hasn’t seen much game action for the Sharks. This could hurt his prospects of making a breakthrough at the highest level, especially as Mbonambi is expected to rejoin the Durban team shortly.
He’s also up against Van Vuuren, 28, for a place.
However, Mbatha most certainly fits the type of player the Boks will be searching for. He can defend well and is a skilled combatant with the ball in his hands.
The Bulls’ first-choice No. 2, Grobbelaar, should also be very much on Erasmus and Co.’s mind. He throws a lineout with accuracy and maintains a strong work rate around the pitch.
He won’t let a team down, but he can maybe step up his defensive and breakdown play to give the Bok coaches serious consideration.
However, in order to prepare for the World Cup in Australia over the next two or three years, it is likely time for the Boks to bring in those young hookers.
alia.
Another hooker injury crisis must be avoided at all costs at Australia 2027. The Boks were in a way lucky that they
had the benefit of Fourie’s experience in France when his lineout performance in the championship wasn’t up to par, given his significant defensive and breakdown contributions.
It is simply too much to risk with the void that Marx and Mbonambi will leave behind when they are unable to work, and that void will only get bigger when they eventually retire.
Because of this, it will be crucial to have those backup and fourth-choice hookers ready for action before the start of next year.
And one in the style of Marx and Mbonambi will need to be among them. It’s required under the Springbok blueprint, and maybe one or two of those hookers will be prepared to take the next step up internationally sooner rather than later.
