A rising talent in South African rugby looks increasingly likely to have a big role to play for the Springboks during the 2025 Test season.
During the Springboks’ international season last year, the one position where there seemed to be some uncertainty was at No 8.
Jasper Wiese is probably still seen as the first-choice eighthman, but Elrigh Louw also showed some encouraging signs when deployed in this role. Evan Roos also received a couple of opportunities without quite making the most of them, while Kwagga Smith offers stop-gap back up.
Yet one of the most exciting prospects in South African rugby currently is the continued rise of talented Bulls star Cameron Hanekom.
The 22-year-old received a call-up to the Springboks at the end of last year, and made his debut off the bench in the final Test against Wales, but every sign suggests that this could be the season in which he becomes a Springbok regular.
In fact, on current form, Hanekom may well be a strong contender for the No 8 jersey – especially considering that Louw is likely to miss the majority of the 2025 season due to a serious injury.
THE SPRINGBOKS LOOK SET TO BENEFIT BIG TIME THIS SEASON
Just this past weekend Hanekom was named Man of the Match in the thrilling derby against the Stormers, and he received high praise from Bulls coach Jake White.
He made a statement from the kick-off,” said White at the post-match press conference. “Everyone knows he can carry. Everyone knows how good he is.
“It reminded me a bit of (former schoolboy prodigy) Nick Koster when he was at Bishops. When Rondebosch played them, he caught the ball from the kick-off and ran through everybody.
“That’s a sign of a good player, because people know he (Hanekom) can do it, people expect him to do it, and he still does it.
“He obviously tries to do a little bit too much sometimes, but that’s what happens when you’re young. He pops up in the right places. Everyone knows he can carry and everyone knows he is physical. Another thing that he has, which other loose forwards in his position don’t have, is he can jump in the lineout.”
The rise of Hanekom will be closely observed by the Springbok coaches, but as they look to build towards the next World Cup, there is no doubt this young Bulls star could be set to add significantly to his one Test cap.
