The Springboks have enjoyed another memorable season to date, having won seven out of their nine Tests, while recently reclaiming the Rugby Championship.
It has also been a special few months for some ‘next gen’ stars who have been increasingly exposed to the international arena as the Springbok coaches have looked to facilitate an injection of youth.
Here, we take a look at a handful who have certainly taken their reputation to the next level on the road to the 2027 World Cup.
Five Springboks on the rise
Ethan Hooker
Entering his first season with the Springboks, Hooker could never have imagined that he’d finish the Rugby Championship earning back-to-back starts. The 22-year-old ultimately rose to the occasion in the absence of Kurt-Lee Arendse, and well and truly announced himself on the Test stage, most particularly with an incredible performance in the win over New Zealand in Wellington.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels
The powerful front rower has become increasingly important to the Springboks with his ability to cover hooker and loosehead prop. Boasting both power and mobility, the 24-year-old has come of age this season, and there is no doubt that he is someone who will have been earmarked for a ticket to Australia for the 2027 World Cup.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Although last year was undoubtedly the breakthrough season for Feinberg-Mngomezulu, recent performances have actually taken his reputation to a whole other level. Whereas in the past there may have been some questions over his his ability to balance pragmatism with his natural flair, he has recently provided those answers in no uncertain terms. His performance against the All Blacks in Wellington was straight out of rugby heaven, and he is now undoubtedly at the top of the pecking order at 10.
Wilco Louw
The big man is by no means a ‘newbie’ to the Springbok team, especially considering he made his debut in 2017, but this has been the season where he has truly matured into an absolute weapon at Test level. The 31-year-old has already featured in seven Tests this season, and his impact has been out of the world, particularly at scrum time. In the absence of Frans Malherbe, he has certainly seen his stocks skyrocket.
Canan Moodie
Although only 22-years-old, Moodie feels like he has been a regular with the Springboks for a long time. He does already have 19 caps to his name, but what has really benefited the young man this season is the decision to back him at outside centre. Moving off the wing and closer to the action, Moodie has looked revitalised, and with his reputation immeasurably enhanced, there is now real competition between him and Jesse Kriel at 13.
