‘He could become the best player in the world'
SPOTLIGHT: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen believes his team could’ve had one more representative in the Springbok squad in this current Test season
After being in the wilderness regarding Bok selections over the last few years, the Johannesburg-based side has produced several new Springboks after some eye-catching performances during the 2023/2024 United Rugby Championship season.
Morne van den Berg, Quan Horn, Edwill van der Merwe, Ruan Venter and Jordan Hendrikse (now at the Sharks) are the players who stepped up to the Test stage.
However, Van Rooyen believes centre Henco van Wyk would’ve been on that list had he not suffered a knee injury against Leinster in late April.
The 23-year-old, who attended a Springbok alignment camp earlier this year, had to undergo surgery which ruled him out of action for four months.
He is now working his way back to the playing field as Van Rooyen’s squad prepares for the 2024/2025 season.
“Henco van Wyk has joined our training sessions and he has also joined some of our 15 v 15 sessions, so hopefully he will be fine in about two to three weeks,” Van Rooyen told media during a URC Round Table.
“He is looking good.
“We all know what he can become.
“Potentially, he could probably be the best player in the world, so we are excited to get him up and running.”
Van Rooyen is hungry to produce more Springboks this season.
“Our model is more from within and getting the juniors going,” he said.
“Ruan Venter, Henco van Wyk and Quan Horn all came through the Under-21 system and if Henco wasn’t injured he probably could’ve been our sixth Bok, so hopefully we can have three or four more this season.”
Meanwhile, Van Rooyen also provided an update on Springbok wing Edwill van der Merwe, who suffered an ankle injury while playing for the Lions in a Currie Cup match against the Pumas in July.
“He started to join some of our skill sessions,” said the Lions coach.
“He should probably be ok for our second home game against Edinburgh. That’s the goal.
“Richard Kriel and WJ Steenkamp are also on the brink of being ready.”
The Lions will start their URC campaign with a home match against Ulster on September 28.
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