VIDEO: Hanekom on his way to becoming a Vermeulen 2.0?
SPOTLIGHT: Cameron Hanekom is learning from the best in the business and Rassie Erasmus believes he has all the qualities to become a loose forward maestro.
The 22-year-old is set to make his Bok debut off the bench against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday and he admits he is still pinching himself.
Hanekom, who was called up last month after Damian Willemse was ruled out with a groin injury, produced several eye-catching performances for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship and it was just a matter of time before he got an opportunity in the Test stage.
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“Since I was a child, it has been a dream to play for the Springboks,” he said.
“To have that dream become a reality on Saturday is unbelievable.
“I am just very grateful for it and I am very privileged to be here.
“I’ll take the opportunity with both hands.”
Hanekom said he is taking it all in, especially when it comes to working with Duane Vermeulen.
“I have been looking up to him since I was a kid,” he said.
“Now I call him Coach Duane. Being able to work with the best No.8 in the world is a massive privilege and honour.”
It’s not just the coaches who are helping Hanekom shift to another gear in his career.
“I’ve had a collective buy-in from all the players to help me be prepared to the best of my ability for the game,” he said.
“All the players are very excited for me.
“It feels a bit unrealistic and it still hasn’t kicked in.”
He added: “Having a collective buy-in from everybody is great. It gives me confidence knowing they see something in me that will help contribute to the plan that we have.”
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Meanwhile, Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus says Hanekom’s versatility is enough to become one of the most explosive loose forwards in the world.
“When I was playing, you were just a No.6 or No.7 – we didn’t play openside and blindside. I pretty much believe in that,” said Erasmus.
“The only difference was if a guy can jump in the line-out or not.
“Siya [Kolisi] is not a real line-out jumper, but Cameron can jump in the line-out so that is why he fits into the South African mould of a No.7 well.
“He is an awesome No.8 – athletic, fast and he can cover a lot of ground.
“If you compare that to a Duane, it’s a little bit different. Duane was carrying the ball up, while Hanekom could sidestep, hand-off defenders and run over them.
“I don’t think at this stage we are going to say he is just a No.7.
“I think he will be a great No.8 as well, but at this stage, I don’t see him going into that No.6 position.”
@rugby365com
