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NEXT IN LINE: Five URC stars who could make their Springbok debuts in 2025

Shaun Goosen highlights five uncapped players that could make their Springbok debuts in 2025.
Jurenzo Julius of the Hollywoodbets Sharks
Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports

Shaun Goosen highlights five uncapped players that could make their Springbok debuts in 2025.

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Rassie Erasmus used over 50 players for the Springboks in their 2024 campaign as he sought to strike the right balance between fielding established veterans and blooding newcomers into the side ahead of the next World Cup.

This year should be no different, and with two matches against Italy and one with Georgia scheduled for July, here are five uncapped players that could debut in green and gold in those Test matches.

Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

Having already spent time in the Bok camp albeit without receiving game time, Hooker is a shoo-in for selection in July. The Westville Old Boy, a centre by trade but just as at home on the wing, is brutal and uncompromising in contact with a turn of pace that would make Cheslin Kolbe blush.

The country has a plethora of quality midfield options to choose from, but it feels as though there’s something special about Hooker – not least after he put one Antoine Dupont of Toulouse on his backside at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on the weekend.

Neethling Fouche (Stormers)

By his own admission, the great Frans Malherbe reckons Australia 2027 may be a bridge too far. At 33-years-of-age, and having already turned out at the last three World Cups, it won’t be too much longer before Father Time gives him a tap on the shoulder.

Despite Stormers teammate Fouche being just a year Malherbe’s junior, he has proven himself to be a classy operator in the No 3 jumper, with his scrummaging prowess earning him praise from many pundits in the local game. Erasmus’ squad is certainly not lacking in quality prop depth, but Fouche would only add more value to that pool of players given his outstanding performances for the Capetonians for an extended period now.

JD Shickerling (Stormers)

With the second-row injury crisis the Boks suffered last year in mind, the introduction of Schickerling into the national fold would be a big boon for the side. At 2.03m and 119kg, the Paarl Gimnasium product perfectly fits the mould of a Test lock and has been purring along nicely for his franchise this season.

Given the severity of the injuries Schickerling has already sustained in his career, including a broken neck that came within 2mm of leaving him completely paralysed, his tenacity and strength of character would make him right at home in Green and Gold.

Henco van Wyk (Lions)

Scorer of one of the URC individual tries of the season against Munster at Thomond Park in November, the man nicknamed “Weapon X” has been a central cog for the Lions over the past few seasons and is fully deserving of a look-in in midfield.

While he has endured his fair share of injury troubles of late, the deceptively powerful Van Wyk is the real deal and has all the attributes required to make a big splash on the Test scene.

Jurenzo Julius (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

It may yet be a tad early for the 20-year-old to crack the nod at the highest level, but man oh man is “The Boogie Man” one to keep an eye on. The third centre on this list and arguably the most naturally gifted of the lot, Julius has made a big splash for the Durbanites since JP Pietersen unleashed him in last season’s Currie Cup – speed, skill, X-factor; he’s got it all.

He may still have areas of his game to improve, but he’s only going to get better, especially under the mentorship of Lukhanyo Am and Andre Esterhuizen at the Shark Tank.

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