Springbok Bolters: Top four uncapped players turning heads this season
These emerging talents in are making significant strides in their respective positions and are poised to make an impact at Test level for the Springbok in the near future.
The Springboks are blessed a wealth of quality among its core group of players. But when Rassie Erasmus decides to cast his net wider, there won't be a lack of riches in the talent-pool at his disposal because South Africa is blessed when it comes to the next generation of professional players.
With that in mind, we bring you the top four best rookies on Rassie Erasmus' radar for potential Springbok selection in the near future. Position: Centre/Wing
Age: 21
Hartzenberg has been a standout performer for the Stormers, showcasing his versatility by excelling both on the wing and at outside centre. His impressive speed and agility have made him a key figure in the team's backline. A standout player who reach 50 caps for the Stormers this season, Hartzenberg now has experience on his side, and could serve as very good utility back for Rassie Erasmus' Springboks. Position: Loosehead prop
Age: 23
Ntlabakanye has been a dominant force in the scrums for the Lions, earning recognition as one of the top loosehead props in the country. His powerful performances have made him a standout in the URC and he is widely regarded as one of the best in his position. A 145kg giant, his physical dimensions set him apart from the pack, and it would be interesting to see whether the Springbok conditioning coaches could see an opportunity to mould the youngster into an even more formidable weapon in the front row. Position: Wing/Fullback
Age: 23
Makhaza has been a revelation in the 2025 Varsity Cup, earning both Player of the Year and Backline Player of the Year honors. His remarkable performance in the final, scoring 32 points, was instrumental in the Ikey Tigers' victory. His move to the Cheetahs for the Currie Cup season marks a significant step in his professional career. The Varsity Cup superstar was a bit of a bolter in the squad selection, but he fully deserves his Springbok call-up, and will add another exciting option on the wing. Position: Loose forward
Age: 22
Another rising star in South African rugby, the dynamic loose forward is in the mould of Kwagga Smith, and it stands to reason that the Springboks will be keen to have a closer look at him. Du Plessis had a breakout season in the 2024 Currie Cup, earning the Premier Division Player of the Year award. His dynamic performances caught the attention of national selectors, leading to his inclusion in a Springbok alignment camp. Despite limited minutes for the Lions the URC this season, his domestic form has positioned him as a strong candidate for future national duties.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and BlueSky for the latest news.
Meanwhile, here is an important reminder on ticket sales for the Springbok men's game against Argentina in the Rugby Championship at Twickenham in October.
Ticket sales
Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.co.uk and England Rugby, starting from just £55* for adults and £28* for Under-16s.
(*booking fees apply)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
8 hours ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs set to snatch rising star Ime Okon from rivals
Kaizer Chiefs are reportedly closing in on a major signing ahead of the 2025/2026 season, with highly-rated defender Ime Okon believed to be on the brink of joining the Soweto giants. The 21-year-old's contract with SuperSport United ends this month, allowing him to leave as a free agent, and Chiefs have wasted no time in making their move. After lifting the Nedbank Cup, Amakhosi are determined to build a squad capable of challenging on all fronts under incoming coach Nasreddine Nabi. Okon, who has drawn attention with his physical presence and calmness on the ball, is understood to be a key piece in that puzzle. 'They (Kaizer Chiefs) see him (Ime Okon) as a long-term solution at centre-back. I mean, he is only 21 and he could challenge (Inacio) Miguel, who is almost 30, for that position. On top of that, his contract expires soon,' a source told The South African . Okon previously caught the eye of scouts abroad, having attended trials with Danish top-tier side FC Midtjylland and Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv over the past 18 months. Despite impressing, no deal came to fruition, and he returned to see out his contract with Matsatsantsa. This presented Chiefs with a golden opportunity, and they appear poised to capitalise. Okon recently featured for Bafana Bafana in the COSAFA Cup. Which further strengthens his reputation as one of South Africa's most promising young centre-backs. His potential, youth, and international exposure make him an attractive prospect for a club eager to rebuild and restore glory. With negotiations believed to be at an advanced stage. And it looks increasingly likely that Okon will don the black and gold of Amakhosi next season. Will Okon be good enough to wear the Kaizer Chiefs jersey? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
11 hours ago
- IOL News
Plumtree confident Sharks can beat Bulls in URC semi-final without Eben Etzebeth
SHARKS lock Corne Rahl has some big shoes to fill with Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth out injured for the URC semi-final at Loftus. | BackpagePix Sharks coach John Plumtree reckons his blood pressure has only recently returned to normal after the drama of a penalty shoot-out with Munster last week, and the early week injury to Eben Etzebeth won't have helped his stress levels. That said, Plumtree was calm and philosophical when he spoke to the media about his team's chances of upsetting the Bulls in Saturday's United Rugby Championship semi-final at Loftus Versfeld. Etzebeth has been replaced by youngster Corne Rahl while Emile van Heerden comes in for another injured Springbok in Jason Jenkins. Apart from that double blow in the second row, Plumtree has picked the same starting 15 that won the quarter-final. Plumtree said the loss of his first-choice locks was a setback but stressed that rugby is a team sport. 'How much of a loss is Eben? He is probably the best lock in the world, so it's a big loss, but the thing is it's a team game; one person doesn't make this team and we've won games without him this year,' Plumtree said. 'He got a head knock at training,' explained Plumtree. 'We decided that it's best not to risk him this week, so we made a pretty early call. 'He's feeling a lot better by the way, he's been communicating with me and the team, and I'm not overly concerned about it. I'm pretty sure that if we go through, he'll be available next week.' Plumtree admitted that the injury to the in-form Jenkins had also been keenly felt. 'Jason is a big loss for us, too. He played a pivotal role for us, with Eben being out for so much; he's played at four, and he's played at five,' Plumtree added. 'It's really disappointing not to see him in the Springbok squad at the moment as well. I think he deserves to be there.' Etzebeth's replacement, Rahl, is hardly a lightweight. The blond-haired giant is 2.03m and weighs 122kg. Importantly, the 22-year-old has been under Etzebeth's wing for two years and would have learned plenty from the best in the business. The other incoming lock, Van Heerden, is no slouch and has the pedigree of being the son of former Springbok lock Fritz van Heerden. He, in any case, played most of last week's game after Jenkins went off injured. 'Corne is a different player to Emile, in so many ways. Corne's more abrasive, and Emile's the ball winner, and a smart player, and is developing good leadership as well,' Plumtree explained. 'We've got full backing of the boys, and the boys are really pleased they've got this opportunity.' As Plumtree says, his team have won important games this season without the likes of Etzebeth. In fact, the Sharks have yet to field a full-strength side against the Bulls this season, and they are yet to lose to the Pretoria team. They have got over the line in their last three outings against the Bulls, and Etzebeth did not play in those games. Plumtree said that the harrowing, 100-minute quarter-final meant the players had to take it easy this week, and the preparation has been more mental. 'With big games like this, it's often your easiest week as a coach. The players are all excited about the opportunity. 'We had to lighten the load a lot in training based on what happened last weekend, but they're feeling good.' Plumtree said his forwards are excited about going up against the much-vaunted Bulls pack. 'It's not just about who gets front-foot ball but also the psychological battle, and that's what it's all about, these big contests. The Bulls are not just a scrummaging team, they're a good set-piece team, particularly at Loftus,' Plumtree said. 'These are big derby games, aren't they? The Sharks-Bulls game at Loftus, everyone in Durban will be watching this game of rugby because it's based on the contests there have been over the years, and there have been some great contests.' Sharks team 15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Ethan Hooker 13 Lukhanyo Am 12 Andre Esterhuizen 11 Makazole Mapimpi 10 Jordan Hendrikse 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Siya Kolisi (captain) 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 James Venter 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl 3 Vincent Koch 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ox Nche. Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu 18 Hanro Jacobs 19 Deon Slabbert 20 Phepsi Buthelezi 21 Bradley Davids 22 Jurenzo Julius 23 Yaw Penxe.
IOL News
13 hours ago
- IOL News
Gerda Steyn favoured to win the Comrades Marathon, but the men's race remains unpredictable
Gerda Steyn GERDA Steyn is favoured to winn the Women's race in the 2025 Comrades Marathon. | Sibonelo Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers Equally motivated will be his club mate yet adversary in the form of Piet Wiersma. The Dutchman has to be considered a possible winner given how close he ran Dijana in 2023. The South African in me of course wants one of our own to keep the title home. And there are a few athletes who can do just that, the standout being defending Down Run champion Morena Tete Dijana. But that has never stopped us from trying to play Nostradamus, has it? And I am not going to start now and shirk out of having a go. The men's race on the other hand is not so clear-cut. As it is, predicting a winner is tantamount to attempting to tell dark blue from black in the dark – impossible. Sure, there are some competitive runners who are likely to run her close. But you are not going to find punters putting high odds against her not winning. DURBAN - GERDA Steyn's status as a firm favourite to win the women's race in Sunday's Comrades Marathon is a given. Wiersma showed with that compelling run for a second spot that it is possible for a foreign rookie to win the race. There is one such rookie brought here by Maxed Elite in the form of Frenchman Guillaume Ruel who could pull the rug from underneath the aforementioned duo of Nedbank, a club he previously ran for. The 27-year-old who stands at a strapping 1.87m was in South Africa three years ago for the Nedbank Runified 50km where he ran the European record at 2:47:23. He said on Thursday during the press conference that he's here on a reconnaissance trip and will be returning to be competitive the following year, explaining that he's not fully fit having had an Achilles operation earlier in the year. That could well be. But athletes are known to play down their chances and with his kind of speed – he boasts a 2:14:48 standard marathon PB - and the fact he holds the French 100km record at 6:13:41 9:51 suggests he is going to be pretty competitive. The Comrades Marathon is renowned for being unkind to highly-rated foreigners though and few have had their noses bloodied by the world's most famous ultra. In recent years the locals have dominated the race, with the Nedbank Running Club having won it in the last four years. Dijana's teammate and captain Edward Mothibi was a winner in 2019 and his second and third place finishes in the previous two Down Runs suggests he should not be overlooked. Like Dijana, he had a poor run last year finishing 16th and while he says he is simply going for a top 10, the reality is that the man they call Slender has it in him to push for glory. Their former teammate Joseph Manyedi who won the veteran's category with his fourth-place finish has found a new lease on life at Maxed Elite. He has all intentions to get a podium finish for his new employers who will have the battle-hardened Teboho Sello once again pushing for glory. He has all intentions to get a podium finish for his new employers who will have the battle-hardened Teboho Sello once again pushing for glory. The Comrades stalwart that is Bongmusa Mthembu remains a force of the race even though it appears that his glory days are long gone, but cannot be completely written off. And then there's three-time gold medalist Gordon Lesetedi who is coached by the champion-producing John Hamlett who has said he is going for victory On the face of it, this could easily be a two-horse race between Dijana and Wiersma. But such is the unpredictability of the Comrades Marathon that the winner could well come from left field. We are in for an intriguing race this weekend.
