At the start of this year, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus made it clear that a major priority would be to start introducing several talented newcomers to the squad system at the start of a new four-year World Cup cycle.
True to his word, Erasmus has willingly rotated his players, using a total of 49 players so far this season, and as many as 35 in the Rugby Championship.
In total, 11 new Springboks were capped in 2024, namely: Edwill van der Merwe, Quan Horn, Morne van den Berg, Ruan Venter, Jordan Hendrikse, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ben-Jason Dixon, Andre-Hugo Venter and Phepsi Buthelezi.
At the same time, players such as Aphelele Fassi, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Manie Libbok, Grant Williams, Jaden Hendrikse, Ruan Nortje, Elrigh Louw and Gerhard Steenekamp – to name a few – have matured into solid Test players after making their Bok debuts in the last few seasons.
Springboks also benefiting from the URC ‘feeder system’
There is no doubt that South Africa’s move into the United Rugby Championship has also exposed players to different challenges and conditions, which has ultimately benefited the Springboks.
This point was highlighted by Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen: “I think it’s helped the national selectors increase the pool of players they can select.
“We know we’ve got robust and tough athletes. If you look at all of our Vodacom URC teams, there are some really exciting ‘X Factor’ backs in them. We’ve always had tough locks and loosies, and our set pieces will keep on going forward.
“Where we’re fortunate as a country is that national players who fall in the category of number 30 to number 60 now could very easily be number one or two in the next Rugby World Cup and going forward.
“What a position to be in. If you take 1-15 as the A team, then 16 to 30 and 31 to 45 as another two teams, I think the difference between those three teams is minimal.
“So whichever way they want to play, you can pick one of those teams. You can have a really physical kicking pressure team and be the best in the world, or an exciting counter-attack and wide-attack team and be the best in the world. I think that’s the exciting part. The ingredients are definitely there to create something very special.”
DO YOU THINK THE SA RUGBY HAS EVER BEEN SO STRONG?
Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this Argentina and Springboks related article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
