A talented youngster has provided the Springboks with a timely answer just as questions lingered over a key position.
With a long list of injuries heading into the 2024 Test season, the Springboks will also have to make a big decision at number eight, especially for the next series against Ireland.
Jasper Wiese was an obvious choice to replace Duane Vermeulen, who had retired following the World Cup the previous year. He did, however, get a six-game ban for a red card he received towards the end of the English Premiership season.
Wiese will therefore miss the next mid-year Test matches between the Springboks and Wales, Ireland (two games), and Portugal. Additionally, he won’t be present for Australia’s opening two Rugby Championship games against the Wallabies.
After all of that missed action, he may not automatically come back into the team, but the question has persisted: Who is the Springboks’ next best option at No 8.
Perhaps the safest bet will see Kwagga Smith deployed slightly out of position at No 8, but there are no shortage of other options.
There is Evan Roos, Elrigh Louw and even overseas-based Juarno Augustus, who would probably be a popular choice. Lions star Francke Horn or Sale Sharks stalwart Jean-Luc du Preez could be other left-field considerations.
However, at just the right time, rising star Cameron Hanekom may have provided the Springboks with the clearest answer to date after producing a stunning Man of the Match performance in the Bulls’ URC semi-final against Leinster this past weekend.
THE SPRINGBOKS NEED TO BEGIN BUILDING DEPTH AT NO 8
It would seem reasonable for the Springboks to start supporting some rookies at the beginning of a new four-year World Cup, and Hanekom seems to have all the qualities that would appeal to the national coaches.
The 22-year-old is an excellent ball handler and strong defender who possesses physicality and a high work rate. He also displays what the Springboks refer to as their “warrior spirit.”
Bulls coach Jake White emphasized this trait right after the URC semifinal.
“What a guy,” said Josh van der Flier, a star from Leinster, to me just now. We attempted to enter him and place him on the deck. He continued to pursue them. He persisted in returning after they had set him down each time.
“He will get better, he is 22 and he is currently keeping Marcell Coetzee out of the team,” White added. “He showed he can play at this level. It is probably the best he has played for us since he has come in. He has had moments when he has played well, but over the 80 minutes he was superb. He was man of the match and that is fantastic for us.”
HANEKOM SET TO COME INTO THE TEAM IN THE COMING WEEKS
The youngster is not available for the Springboks’ season-opener against Wales this Saturday due to the Bulls’ involvement in the URC final, but he should then come straight into the squad.
By all accounts, Hanekom is now the frontrunner to claim the Springboks’ No 8 jersey for the series against Ireland, although it will be interesting to see whether Rassie Erasmus would first want to integrate him into international action more gradually off the bench.
