VIDEO: Hanekom turns up the heat in Bok No.8 race

SPOTLIGHT: The debate around the Springbok No.8 position – or rather a more frequent starter – intensified with the advent of the European season.

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 flank to No.8 also gave Erasmus food for thought.

Bulls loose forward Cameron Hanekom certainly put down his marker in the opening rounds of the Champions Cup, even though his team lost both encounters.

The one-cap Springbok – who made his Test debut as a replacement in the 45-12 win over Wales in Cardiff last month – was named Man of the Match in the Bulls’ 21-30 loss to English champions Northampton Saints at Loftus Versfeld this past Saturday.

Hanekom made 141 metres at the weekend, from his 19 carries – more than any forward has made in a match since 2021.

In Round Two, he made seven dominant carries (the most of the round), five offloads (also #1), 35 post-contact metres (#2), beat eight defenders (#2), made 17 tackles and scored two tries.

He was just as impressive in the 5-27 loss to the three-time European champions Saracens at the Barnet Copthall Stadium in Round One.

His 13 carries yielded 41 metres, he beat seven defenders, made two offloads, 12 tackles and won a turnover.

Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White said Hanekom’s performances were not one-off, but he performs at the highest standard consistently.

(Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White on Cameron Hanekom’s performance….)

“He has certain attributes that he does well,” White said, pointing out he did against a quality No.8 in former Stormers loose forward Juarno Augustus.

However, he would still have had his team perform as a unit, rather than relying on individuals.

“Sometimes you don’t need to be too flashy,” White said, adding: “It is about understanding what you need to do in the game.

“It was nice to see Cam [Hanekom] play well, but I would rather have [Juarno] Augustus win Man of the Match and we win the game.

“That would be first prize.”

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