Rassie Erasmus to hand out more Springbok caps next year?
The Springboks have just finished their 2024 season, with Rassie Erasmus having used 51 different players in total, while 12 players made their Test debut.
Last week it was confirmed that the Springboks will welcome Italy and Georgia to South Africa for the incoming July series in 2025, and these are undoubtedly fixtures where Erasmus will be able to again experiment to some degree with his squad rotation.
According to the latest news from Sunday newspaper Rapport, the Springbok coach already has several players in mind when it comes to planning for next year.
Sharks flyhalf Siya Masuku is one player who could be in line for a debut next July, while Lions playmaker Sanele Nohamba, centre Henco van Wyk and Stormers lock Ruben van Heerden are apparently on the Springbok radar.
Recently, Erasmus also admitted that there were some Bulls players who had been impressing him.
“There’s talent at lock coming through at the Bulls who we haven’t given a chance to yet,” Erasmus said, giving a nod to a group of players who could soon come into the Springbok mix next year.
Word has it that the likes of Cobus Wiese, JF van Heerden, and the versatile Reinhardt Ludwig are just some of the Bulls players who have been catching Erasmus’ eye.
The 27-year-old Wiese has decent experience on his side, and it’s believed that his ability to play at both No 4 and No 5, as well as at blindside flank, is seen as a major bonus.
Van Heerden, the 20-year-old Junior Bok, is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most promising future No 5 locks, and it’s no surprise that he is already on the Springbok radar, while 22-year-old Ludwig is apparently viewed as a talented prospect who could offer utility forward value in a similar vein to Franco Mostert or Pieter-Steph du Toit.
Rassie Erasmus is already preparing for the Springboks’ 2025 season
SA Rugby confirmed on Wednesday that the dates have been locked in for the Tests in the Incoming Series next year, as well as the home leg of the Rugby Championship, although SA Rugby will only confirm venues and kick-off times at a later stage.
Italy will visit South Africa for the first time since 2013 when they face the Boks on 5 and 12 July. Dating back to their first visit in 1999, the Azzurri have only played seven Tests in South Africa before.
A week later, the Boks will take on Georgia on home soil for the second time, in line with World Rugby’s plans to expose emerging nations to top tier opposition. The Lelos played one Test against South Africa in Pretoria in 2021, as prelude to the COVID-impacted tour of the British & Irish Lions.
The Springboks will start the defence of their Rugby Championship crown against the Wallabies, who host the British & Irish Lions in July, on consecutive weekends in August, on the 16th and 23rd.
Away Tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand follow on 6 and 13 September before the Springboks wrap up the Rugby Championship home (27 September) and away (4 October) against Argentina.
Details of the venues for the All Blacks Tests, the away match in Argentina and the November tour to Europe will be announced in due course.
Springbok home fixtures in 2025 (venues and kick-off times TBC):
5 July: SA v Italy
12 July: SA v Italy
19 July: SA v Georgia
16 August: SA v Australia
23 August: SA v Australia
27 September: SA v Argentina
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