Poll: Pick your breakout Bok!
12/31/2024 11:00 PM
The start of a new year resets the race among a host of promising players to star for the Springboks – which one do you think is primed for a breakout season?
Morne van den Berg and Quan Horn were among four Lions stars to make their Bok debuts in 2024, and well deserved after helping to steer the Pride from Vodacom URC underdogs to top-four contenders and regular playoff challengers in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Horn capped his only appearance for South Africa with a try against Portugal. However, a knee injury to incumbent Bok fullback Aphelele Fassi – and the pending exit from the Bok squad of two-time World Cup winner Willie le Roux – has potentially opened the door for the 23-year-old to showcase his talents.
A nuggety scrumhalf with a solid boot and an eye for the gap, Van den Berg earned two Test caps in 2024 – his first off the bench in a historic win versus Os Lobos before starting in a key victory over the Wallabies Down Under in the Rugby Championship.
Cobus Wiese has made an instant impact since joining the Vodacom Bulls from Sale Sharks this season, the powerful utility forward becoming a key player in Jake White's pack. The 27-year-old's ability to play lock and in the back row has added valuable depth to the Herd and, previously part of the wider Bok squad in 2018, Wiese no doubt would relish the chance to join brother Jasper in the green and gold.
Seamlessly switching between inside and outside centre for the Bulls, David Kriel is a serious try-scoring threat, and consistently ranks high in metres gained and defenders beaten. The 25-year-old is as creative as he is a good finisher out wide, and has also shown physicality and grit closer to the action.
A standout in a star-studded backline that features world champion Boks, Ethan Hooker‘s ability to play centre and wing has not only benefited the Sharks but has enhanced his prospects at the next level. After a stellar 2023-24 season, where Hooker helped the Durbanites clinch the EPCR Challenge Cup, the 21-year-old was included in a Bok training squad in 2024. He also starred for the Sharks in their Currie Cup title triumph this season.
Stormers outside back Suleiman Hartzenberg has consistently delivered in the URC and Investec Champions Cup, cementing his reputation as one of SA's most exciting young talents. The 21-year-old’s regular involvement in a backline filled with quality talent such as Damian Willemse and Manie Libbok has accelerated his development and eased his potential transition into the national set-up.
Weighing in at almost 155kg, Lions tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye‘s powerful ball-carrying, impressive work rate and relentless defence has already earned him a call-up to a Bok camp in 2024.
Henco van Wyk exploded on to the senior scene in 2022 and into opposing ball-carriers, his penchant for delivering dominant hits in the backfield adding X factor to the Lions defence. A defensive wrecking ball, his stats point to a player with a legitimate all-round game, and a breakthrough for the Boks will owe plenty to the way that he has embraced his role in the outside-centre channel.
Photo: @Springboks/Twitter
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