Bok bolters who may debut in 2026
OPINION: As time ticks closer to the 2026 international season and next year’s Rugby World Cup, Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus could consider a few in-form youngsters to make their Test debuts this season.
Erasmus has proved that he is not afraid to back a youngster, despite their age. When a player is ready for the international stage, he will get his opportunity.
Think about someone like Canan Moodie, who became the second youngest Bok in history at 19 years old when he made his debut against the Wallabies in 2022 and scored a memorable try in a winning effort.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu debuted at 22 years old and is closing in on 20 Test caps, and is now considered one of the best players in the world by fans and pundits.
Ethan Hooker was entrusted at 22 years old to start against the All Blacks and ran them ragged in a record-breaking win against the old foe in Wellington last season.
Zachary Porthen could barely crack the Stormers squad in his rookie United Rugby Championship season and ended up with three Test caps to his name by the end of 2025.
Erasmus named a host of exciting youngsters, including SA Schools players Kai Pratt and Markus Muller, several 2025 Junior World Championship-winning Junior Boks and regular performers at URC level.
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The question is, which players will don the green and gold at Test level this season?
Rugby365 earmarked these four players to do so in 2026 with the 2027 World Cup in mind.
1. Paul de Villiers
Loose forward depth in South Africa has never been an issue, and captain Siya Kolisi made the No.6 jumper his own since being appointed captain of the Boks when Erasmus took the reins in 2018.
Kolisi, however, will in all likelihood play his last World Cup in 2027, considering his age.
Succession planning is important with the future in mind, with players such as Marco van Staden and Kwagga Smith also reaching the twilight of their careers.
De Villiers also adds a different dimension to the Boks, playing more towards the ball as a fetcher, which could benefit the Boks’ new transition-style game plan.
2. Bathobele Hlekani
An absolute unit of a player who is defensively sound and comfortable at loose forward and lock, offering versatility, which is something Erasmus enjoys from players.
Hlekani’s game is growing week by week and he seems to be comfortable at URC level in his short senior career.
He is a solid ball carrier and runner with deceptively quick feet when afforded an opportunity in space and a hard man to bring down when on the rampage.
3. Cheswill Jooste
The Bulls flyer plays like a seasoned campaigner in his handful of appearances for Johan Ackermann’s team and has deceptively good pace and strength.
He is still very raw, but he will bring balance to the Bok wings’ age profile with Canan Moodie and Ethan Hooker earmarked as centres in the long run.
4. Haashim Pead
Still a player who is struggling to make the Lions’ starting line-up, but he has immense potential.
Pead was named the breakthrough player of the tournament in the 2025 Under-20 World Championship, which the Junior Boks won and could add a different dimension to the Boks’ attack with players like Faf de Klerk and Cobus Reinach nearing the end of their Test careers, considering their age and looking towards the 2031 World Cup.
