How Boks' next generation shapes up leading to 2027 World Cup
OPINION: For Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus, it’s never been a case of ‘out with the old and in with the new’ but about building depth with the next World Cup in mind.
This was evident after the 2023 World Cup Final, where South Africa clinched a record fourth title by defeating the old foe New Zealand in the Final 12-11 at the Stade de France in Paris.
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In 2024, the Boks evolved their game plan to a more attacking style under Kiwi attack coach Tony Brown without deviating from their traditional set-piece power game.
The Boks also capped 12 players during that season, which saw players such as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Edwill van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Morne van den Berg becoming regular starters since.
In 2025, there were just seven debutants, but again, players like Vincent Tshituka, Marnus van der Merwe, Andre-Hugo Venter, Boan Venter, Cobus Wiese, Ethan Hooker and Zachary Porthen appear to form the core of the next generation of players for the foreseeable future.
In the recent non-Test against the Barbarians in Gqeberha, more names such as former Junior Bok skipper Riley Norton, Vusi Moyo, Carlu Sadie and Paul de Villiers made their unofficial Springbok debuts.
One expects them to earn their first Test caps this year with a jam-packed season lined up, which includes the Nations Championship and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour against the All Blacks.
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Despite all the new faces, Erasmus didn’t discard all his old stalwarts. Faf de Klerk made a welcome return to the Bok set-up whilst fellow scrumhalves Herschel Jantjies and Embrose Papier got recalled from the Test wilderness.
Lukhanyo Am also gave a good account of himself for the SA ‘A’ team after reviving his career, moving from the Sharks to Japan Rugby League One side Dynaboars.
Fellow SA ‘A’ players Jaco Williams and Ruben van Heerden had both been included in Erasmus’ squad for their Nations Championship campaign, which kicks off against England at Ellis Park on July 4.
Of course, there are still names such as Markus Muller, Luan Giliomee, Zekhethelo Siyaya, Yaqeen Ahmed, Haashim Pead, Batho Hlekani, Emmanuel Tshituka, Hanro Jacobs, Siba Mahashe, Imad Khan, Adre Smith and Jurenzo Julius who featured in that clash.
Erasmus would have a plan for them to don the green and gold somewhere down the line this season at Test level.
There are still old stalwarts in the picture, such as Kwagga Smith, Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, and RG Snyman, who is currently sidelined with injury, and remains firmly in Erasmus’ short and long-term plans.
The depth and quality of South African Rugby is at an all-time high, and come 2027, Erasmus will have a healthy selection headache and an abundance of backup to gun for an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title.
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