AUDIO: Pivotal change to Bok pecking order

It seems like 2025 will be the perfect time for Morné van den Berg to add to his Springbok caps, as he continues to rise in the national setup.

The Lions scrumhalf, who has impressed in recent seasons at franchise level, is set to make his third appearance for South Africa when the Springboks face the Barbarians at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

The 27-year-old, who made his Test debut in 2024, has earned just two Test caps.

But Van den Berg, affectionately known as ‘Krappie’, appears to have the inside track to the No.9 jersey as talks of the 2027 World Cup squad escalate.

Van den Berg has been selected to start ahead of World Cup-winning veterans Cobus Reinach and Faf de Klerk, while Grant Williams is unavailable due to a long-standing neck injury.

“He is such a hard worker and such a particular guy in the way he wants to get things right,” said Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus when asked about Van den Berg’s selection.

“Morné reminds me a lot of Aaron Smith.

“I don’t know if that’s a good or a bad thing, but Aaron Smith was a great No.9.

“He is exceptionally fit. He was one of the guys who did the best in the fitness test.”

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Erasmus also revealed that he nominated Van den Berg for South Africa’s United Rugby Championship Player of the Season award, a title that was ultimately awarded to Stormers playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

“We had to nominate a few URC players of the year, and it always goes to the teams that wins, but one of my nominations was Krappies.

“I think he is a tidy and sharp player, but he only has two Test matches, and the one was in the rain against Australia.

“Hopefully, Cape Town gives him a better chance this weekend.”

Erasmus added: “The Lions team didn’t do too well this season, so you couldn’t judge him just by results.

“But his output, what he tried, how he kept on fighting, and how well he understands what we want to do – I think that puts some nice pressure on the older guys like Faf and Cobus to keep grinding.”

Erasmus also revealed the date of Williams’ return.

“Grant will be ready for the second Test match against Italy,” the coach said.

“This match we’ll see Morne and Cobus, and the next game could feature one of the two – maybe with Faf starting or possibly on the bench, and then in the third, maybe Grant.”

Following the exhibition match against the Barbarbians, the Springboks will face Italy in a two-test series before a fixture against Georgia.