Cheslin Kolbe and Frans Malherbe in action for the Springboks, and former coaches Gary Gold and Nick Mallett.
Nick Mallett and Gary Gold believe that Rassie Erasmus could well debut plenty more exciting players for the Springboks this year.
The current Boks boss rotated heavily in 2024, with 50 players appearing for the national team in total, as they started building towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup
A number of individuals made their Springbok bows, including Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who was nominated for World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year.
Erasmus will therefore search for his next Feinberg-Mngomezulu in 2025 and Mallett insists that it may well come at centre or prop.
Stormers prop ‘overlooked’
“Ethan Hooker, he’s a guy that I think at centre, not on the wing, he’s someone with pace and great physical ability,” he told the Boks Office podcast.
“He off-loads, is great defensively and just fits into our style of centre that we have.
“As a tighthead prop, Neethling Fouche is a guy that they’ve overlooked. I think technically he would be right up there with Malherbe.
“Maybe Thomas ‘the tank’ [du Toit] can run around the field with a ball better but I think Neethling is a proper scrummaging tighthead prop, who can also tackle.”
Gold agreed with Mallett’s assessment about Fouche, who plays for the same team as Stormers star Malherbe but has always impressed when selected.
“Neethling is technically really sound, but he’s good around the park as well. He’s mobile for a tighthead, it doesn’t compromise on his size and weight, but he gets around the park,” the former Springboks assistant coach said.
“Not taking away anything from [Vincent] Koch, who’s been to two World Cups, but I think there’s a place for this guy.”
Another big South African centre
Gold then added another name into the mix as the Bulls’ David Kriel was praised. Although the back fits the mould of a typical South African centre, the 57-year-old believes that there is much more to his game.
“Somebody who shouldn’t be overlooked is David Kriel. He’s big, he’s tall, he’s physical, he passes beautifully and he’s got a great kicking game,” he said.
“Aerially he’s excellent and he’s got a very good temperament. He’s also diverse and can play in a couple of positions, although 12 is his position.”
Gold’s other pick was the slightly lesser known teenager JC Mars, who has already debuted for the Stormers this season despite not turning 20 until June.
“A young and up-and-coming guy who I really like is JC Mars. I think he’s got huge potential. He came on a couple of weeks ago for the Stormers, scored a fantastic try which was Cheslin-esque,” he said.
“I love those kind of players, it lends to our play when we set big platforms from our forwards and unleash the backs to play. I really like him, I think he’s fantastic.”
