The Springboks must not hesitate to give full backing to a young star who should receive an extended opportunity in the run-on XV.
The Springboks enjoyed a highly successful 2024 international season, but they also used it to test out several newcomers, which included handing out 12 debuts.
One of the debutants was Cameron Hanekom, who received an overdue opportunity when he came off the bench in the final Test of the year against Wales.
However, the stars now seem to be aligning for Hanekom to feature in a frontline role for a large majority of the 2025 season after both Elrigh Louw and Jasper Wiese suffered serious long-term injuries.
It’s opened up a gap at No 8, and although the Springboks aren’t short of options, there is every reason to believe that Hanekom should be the frontrunner to bank some meaningful game-time.
The 22-year-old has continued to impress for the Bulls with regularity, and just this past weekend he was once again a standout performer for the Pretoria-based side in a losing cause against Edinburgh.
Besides banking a try, Hanekom imposed himself physically and at the breakdown, sending out a timely message to the Springbok coaches just as he returned to the starting lineup for the Bulls.
Rassie Erasmus has already made it clear that he wants to expose more newcomers to the rigours of international rugby this season, and it seems to be the perfect time to allow Hanekom an extended run at No 8.
Which players made their Springbok debut last year?
- Jordan Hendrikse
- Edwill vd Merwe
- Ben-Jason Dixon
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
- Jan-Hendrik Wessels
- Johan Grobbelaar
- Phepsi Buthelezi
- Morne van den Berg
- Andre-Hugo Venter
- Ruan Venter
- Quan Horn
- Cameron Hanekom
