Bok No.8 jersey up for grabs as another one bites the dust

NEWS: Lions captain Francke Horn will miss the rest of the United Rugby Championship as well as his chances to stake a claim for that elusive No. 8 jersey in the Springbok squad.

Horn got injured in the Lions’ Round 15 URC clash against Benetton at Ellis Park on Saturday and appeared in the post-match press conference on crutches.

Early indications are that he suffered a bruised knee, which could take up to four weeks to heal.

This is not only bad news for the Lions, but also Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, who is in a race to find a replacement for Springbok No. 8 Jasper Wiese.

Wiese returned to South Africa from Japan to undergo surgery for a neck injury that has ruled him out for the season.

Erasmus’ charges will face the Barbarians at the end of June, followed by back-to-back Tests against Italy and Georgia before the Rugby Championship kicks off in August.

The Lions’ 2024 Forward of the Year has been a leading force in everything that has gone right for the franchise in recent seasons, and while he is an uncapped player, he is surely a strong outside bet to fill Wiese’s void.

#⃣WATCH as injured @LionsRugbyCo captain Francke Horn gave an update on his injury and coach Ivan van Rooyen provided the usual excuses about a fifth successive loss 😱#Rugby 🏉#Rugby365 🌐#RugbyUnion🌍@URCOfficial 🏆
🔗https://t.co/1dHg8SeI9g pic.twitter.com/FpT5AIATuS

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) April 20, 2025

Besides Wiese, the Bulls’ Elrigh Louw is also out for the international season after the loose forward suffered an injury in late January in a match against the Lions.

Neck injuries can be fatal to a rugby player’s career, and time will tell if and when Wiese will return to the pitch, while the injury Louw sustained could potentially be a career-ending one.

This has left the Springbok No. 8 door wide open.

The obvious choice for Erasmus would be the Bok captain Siya Kolisi, who has been in fine form in the No. 8 jumper for the Sharks this season, most likely per request of the Bok coach.

The double World Cup-winning skipper has played more Test matches at flank than any other player in Springboks history (77).

When Sharks coach John Plumtree shifted Kolisi to the back of the scrum, he looked in control of the position, dominating several tackles, and now boasts the second highest tries in the URC (seven).

Kolisi has remarked on his new position when asked how he felt about wearing the No.8 jersey, saying: “I’m loving it – that’s where I started playing rugby, at 8th man. That’s where coach Rassie [Erasmus] spotted me when I was at school, so it’s really good to get back to it. I’m getting the ball in my hands more… I’m more involved in the game and I’m enjoying it.”

When Erasmus selected 50 different players for the Springboks in 2024, just four men wore the number eight on their backs – Kwagga Smith, Elrigh Louw, Wiese, and Evan Roos.

Evan Roos is BACK! ⚡

💥 A reminder of his power, pace, and precision as he gears up for his season debut after injury. 👊🔥#Rugby365 #Stormers pic.twitter.com/4jmnjZDDMR

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) January 10, 2025

Roos started against Wales and Portugal last year in Wiese’s absence before deciding to go under the knife and sort out a troublesome shoulder strain that was affecting his performances.

Since returning to the pitch, he’s gone from strength to strength, taking each game as it comes. Like Louw last year, this could be his breakout year in international rugby.

And then there is the exciting Cameron Hanekom.

He has the exuberance of youth and sometimes pushes himself too far, resulting in niggling injuries now and again.

Cameron Hanekom = BUILT DIFFERENT 💪🔥

This is how you set the tone for a North v South derby 💥@Vodacom #URC | #STOvBUL pic.twitter.com/d3t2gGQBbt

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) February 8, 2025

He will surely be selected in the wider Springbok squad this season if he remains injury-free, and then it is up to him to force Erasmus’s hand.

The most obvious contender is Smith. While he is most impactful from the bench and arguably the best ‘Bomb Squad’ member the Boks have, he will be in the mix for the starting jersey in Wiese’s absence, having started in the role against Ireland last July.

There are a few possibilities on the fringes, like the Du Preez brothers, Dan and Jean-Luc, as well as Phepsi Buthelezi and Celimpilo Gumede, Juarno Augustus, and the Tshituka brothers.

Who do you think should start at No. 8 for the Springboks this season?