'He's not windgat' - Rassie's honest assessment of Bok prospect Riley Norton

SPOTLIGHT: While several young players have turned heads during the Springboks’ preparations for the forthcoming tTest season, Riley Norton is high on the list of those who have impressed Bok coach Rassie Erasmus.

Norton, who recently captained the Junior Boks to a Under-20 Rugby Championship title and a Junior World Cup in 2025, is in line to make his senior debut in Gqeberha next week.

He will feature either for the Boks against the Barbarians or the South African ‘A’ side against Zimbabwe.

The two tests will set the tone for Erasmus’s side ahead of the Nations Championship, which kicks off against England on July 4 at Ellis Park.

Heading into the season, the Boks have suffered some injury blows and will have to do without some of their high-profile players in the lock department.

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As things stand, the Boks have Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert, Ruben van Heerden and Norton as lock specialists in camp.

This week, Erasmus confirmed that RG Snyman, Ruan Venter, and Salmaan Moerat will miss the duration of the season due to long-term injuries.

He also hinted at the possibility of resting Etzebeth or De Jager for the Barbarians clash, a move that would potentially open the door for Norton, whom he spoke highly of.

“I don’t want to single out a player because he’s standing out more than the others,” said Erasmus when asked about Norton.

“But, he’s definitely a guy that’s got maturity about him, coming into the Springbok setup as a young guy.

“He’s definitely not at all windgat [cocky or full of himself], he’s confident, and there’s an aura around him.

“He understands what professional rugby is about, and I think that’s why he’s such a great leader for the Junior Boks.”

Norton is scheduled to return to the Junior Boks camp after the two tests, as they prepare for the Junior World Championship in Georgia later this month.

That’s why a hit-out against the Barbarians or Zimbabwe is important, as it will give Erasmus some answers and help determine whether Norton could be ready to make the step up in the near future if needed.

Even in his absence, the Bok mentor remains confident in his lock stocks, with several Bulls players set to join the squad after the United Rugby Championship final.

Erasmus said he’s not too concerned about depth in the position and painted a picture of a group with enough cover for the season. “RG is out, and he’s always the guy that made it into the matchday 23, either starting or giving some impact,” he began.

“Jean Kleyn was a nice backup; he wouldn’t be in the matchday 23 always, and he’s out. Salmaan is out for a long time, I think, he’s got a neck [injury].

“Ruan Venter, who was willing to play lock, and we were really excited about that, he’s out for a long time.”

Erasmus then turned his attention to the players currently available for selection.

“Lood [De Jager] is back, Eben [Etzebeth] is also fit.

“And then we’ve got Cobus Wiese, and Ruan [Nortjé] playing for the Bulls, and Riley, who’s the U20 captain.

“Riley knows which team he fits in with next week, and he will get some proper game time.

“So, of all those locks that I mentioned, two are long-term, and that’s RG and Ruan – they are out for the whole season, but all the other guys are available.

“But because Salmaan is also a long-term one, we had to get Ruben van Heerden in. We are also resting one or two of the locks that we felt have played enough, and they won’t play against the Barbarians.”