Has Wales found their answer to Cameron Hanekom?

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Nobody has Welsh fans talking quite like Morgan Morse.

The young back row forward is a prodigy, as his potential seems endless.

He is an exhilarating player on the pitch and lights up the game whenever he enters the fray.

The whispers of Cameron Hanekom representing Wales faded into silence as he proudly made his Springbok debut on the hallowed turf of the Millennium Stadium.

It would have been a significant coup for the Welsh game, but Hanekom's heart was always with his homeland of South Africa.

Morse could provide a similar role for Wales.

Morgan Morse

His journey began at Cwmtwrch RFC, and his talents were noted as he made his way through the Ospreys development pathway.

Two years after joining the Ospreys Academy, he came off the bench to face the Sharks in a United Rugby Championship clash.

Throughout his time with the Ospreys, he has produced many electrifying moments.

As the rain poured and the mud clung to his boots, he carved through the Cardiff defence with a try so brilliant it left fans at the Brewery Field crowd in stunned admiration.

Morse had barely blown out his birthday candles before debuting with the Wales Under-20 at 17, a significant achievement for a player of his age. He is one of the most capped Under-20 players in Welsh rugby history, competing in the Six Nations and World Rugby Championships as an integral part of the side.

More recently, as well as delivering some notable performances for the Ospreys, Morse - like Gavin Henson, Adam Jones, and Alun Wyn Jones - graced the iconic St Helen's pitch and competed in the Super Rygbi Cymru competition for Swansea RFC.

While many players are missing from the Ospreys due to the Six Nations, the young superstar has stepped up in a big way, putting in significant shifts against Leinster and Glasgow Warriors.

The international stage beckons for the 20-year-old, and his debut feels inevitable.

While losing out on Hanekom stings, the presence of a rising star like Morse ensures that there is still plenty to look forward to.

Cameron Hanekom

Hanekom has risen rapidly through the ranks.

This South African rising star has made his presence known in the URC and beyond.

As a player, he is a dynamic ball carrier who is unshakable in defence and pops up wherever you look on a pitch.

He has spent his career with the Bulls, making his professional debut in 2022 with the Blue Bulls against the Free State Cheetahs, crossing the whitewash in that affair.

His first appearance with the Bulls in an 'international' competition came against the Exeter Chiefs during a Champions Cup contest.

Among the wealth of talent at the Bulls, Hanekom has risen swiftly, making himself impossible to overlook.

On the international stage, he played for the South African Under-20 team in 2022 before coming off the bench in Cardiff to mark his first appearance for South Africa at the senior level.

Hanekom has bulldozed his way through defences this season in the URC, racking up 357 metres from 68 carries and delivering 16 offloads.

Defensively, he has been just as ruthless, making 96 tackles at an 84 percent success rate while recording 10 turnovers.

Hanekom is a sensational talent and will be a prominent fixture for South Africa in the years to come.

Comparisons

Their explosive running makes them a nightmare for defenders, capable of breaking through the most formidable defensive lines.

A key aspect of their games is their ability to win the collision and get the ball away to a teammate.

The two players are young and brimming with raw talent. While there are still areas to refine, there is no doubt they are destined to become stars on the world stage.

Hanekom could have given Wales a ruthless ball carrier with tremendous energy.

There is no reason why Morse, as he develops, cannot offer the same to his national side.

Their potential impact on their national teams is something for fans to be proud of and look forward to.

Whether donning Welsh red or Springbok green and gold, their paths are set for greatness. Watching their stories unfold will be well worth the experience.

By Peter Ryan
@rugby365com