A Springboks wish list for 2025

OPINION: It is difficult to wish for anything when you already have so much.

And that is exactly the case when it comes to the Springboks.

Aside from being the back-to-back World Cup champions, and the only team to have won the Webb Ellis Cup four times, this year Rassie Erasmus’ men have reached new heights.

They were crowned the 2024 Rugby Championship for the first since 2019.

They recorded three wins from three matches during the Nations Series in November – the first time since 2013 that South Africa went unbeaten on a year-end tour.

To top things off they conclude the year as the No.1 ranked team in the world with a rewarding 11 wins from 13 Tests.

It has certainly been a memorable year for the Springboks.

The team will undoubtedly look to build on this success next season when they face Italy and Georgia in South Africa before defending the Rugby Championship title.

So as we celebrate the festive season some things would make 2025 another incredible 365 days for the men in Green and Gold.

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Back-to-back Rugby Champs title

The big one for the year will undoubtedly be to retain the Rugby Championship trophy – a feat the Springboks have yet to achieve.

They have lifted the title on five occasions but have never secured two successive Tri-Nations (before Argentina’s arrival) or Rugby Championships titles.

New Zealand have dominated the elite Southern Hemisphere competition, with 20 titles.

While the men coached by Scott Robertson will be eager to redeem themselves and reclaim the title, the Boks would want to finally erase this unwanted record and show that the 2024 title was far from a once-off occurrence.

The Springboks kick off the title defence with two home fixtures against Australia on August 16 and 23.

After that, they head to New Zealand to face the All Blacks in two consecutive away matches, before concluding the tournament against Argentina.

Overcome All Blacks at Eden Park

Whether we like it or not there is nothing quite as electric as the South Africa versus New Zealand Test match.

It is regarded as the biggest Test match in the world and on September 6, 2025 the two teams will add another chapter to their rich historic rivalry when they face each other at Eden Park.

It is a match All Blacks fans feel like their team has to win – no doubt about it –  as a 30-year-old record at Eden Park is on the line.

They have gone unbeaten in 50 matches, winning 48 and drawing once each against the Springboks in 1994 and the British & Irish Lions in 2017.

For the Springboks, it’s a chance to extend their dominance over their arch-rivals in remarkable fashion.

The last time the Springbok visited New Zealand rugby’s spiritual home was in 2013.

The Boks have not won at Eden Park since 1937.

South Africa won on their first two visits there in 1921 and 1937, but have gone winless there in their last eight Tests.

South Africa head to Eden Park very buoyed with their four-game winning streak against New Zealand and a win at Eden Park will be so sweet for Rassie’s Springbok dynasty.

Less yellow cards

The one blemish for the Springboks heading into 2025 will be the number of yellow cards they received this year.

The Springboks conceded the most yellow cards of the year.

South Africa incurred 13 sin-bins – one per game.

This was only ‘beaten’ by Georgia (a 1.1 average).

In only four of their 13 Tests (11 wins and two defeats) did South Africa keep all 15 players on the field of play for the full 80 minutes: the second Test v Ireland, which they lost by a point, and in wins against Australia and Argentina in The Rugby Championship (rounds two and six) and the final Test of the year against Wales.

However, while the yellow cards did not impact the team’s success with the team’s defensive system solid under Jerry Flannery, it is a stat that the world champs would want to get rid of.

Finding the new Duane Vermeulen

There have been loads of debate around the No.8 position.

The retirement of Duane Vermeulen has left Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus with an interesting poser at No.8.

In the 13 Tests this year Erasmus trialled several players at the back of the scrum.

Evan Roos and Elrigh Louw both got two starts, with Kwagga Smith playing three times at No.8 and Jasper Wiese having the most game time – six starts.

The decision by the Sharks to move Springbok captain Siya Kolisi from the openside flanker to No.8 also gave Erasmus food for thought.

Cameron Hanekom also added his name to the debate with his recent performance in the opening round of the Champions Cup.

While there is no shortage of talent, on the wishlist will certainly be the question of who is the more frequent starter in the Springbok No.8 jersey.

More centurions for Boks

Siya Kolisi and Willie le Roux could both join the Springboks Test Centurion Club in 2025.

Springbok captain Kolisi has 92 Test caps up to date, while Wille le Roux has made 98 appearances for the national team.

Le Roux is bidding to become just the eighth South African to reach the accolade and the fourth backline player to do so.

The Springboks have nine confirmed Tests in 2025, including an incoming Test series against Italy and Georgia.

One might see Le Roux joined the magical club on July 12, when the Springboks host Italy.

For Kolisi, his celebration might come more towards the end of the year.

* Please feel free to share your rugby wish list for the new year.

@rugby365com