During the course of the 2024 Test season, the Springboks used as many as 50 players across 13 Tests, handed out 12 new caps and dished out game time to all 35 available players on an undefeated end-of-year tour.

As excitement builds towards the 2025 international season, these are the players we believe could come into contention for a Springbok debut this year.

THREE PLAYERS WE PREDICT WILL EARN SPRINGBOK HONOURS:

Henco van Wyk

There is simply no doubt that the 23-year-old – who was named the Junior Springbok Player of the Year in 2021 – is one of the most exciting prospects in South African rugby.

Last year, he was also the only internationally uncapped nominee for SA Rugby Young Player of the Year, having been named alongside Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cameron Hanekom, Quan Horn and Jordan Hendrikse.

Despite the fact Van Wyk has endured some struggles with injury, he is the sort of player with all the attributes that should catch the eye of Rassie Erasmus. Although relatively diminutive in stature, the Lions centre uses his low centre of gravity to great effect, boasting real strength, a strong step and a remarkable work rate.

If he can stay injury free in 2025, he is destined for Springboks honours this season.

Suleiman Hartzenberg

If 2024 was the season of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, there is every chance that this year could see the breakthrough of his Stormers teammate Suleiman Hartzenberg.

The 21-year-olds boasts versatility, speed and tons of natural talent which Erasmus will surely be keen to hone in the Springbok camp.

Just last year, Hartzenberg earned a ringing endorsement from former Springbok wing Breyton Paulse, who made a similar call about his credentials for higher honours: “In terms of young players and players knocking on the door for the tour, I do really like Suleiman Hartzenberg. I do feel he has the potential,” Paulse said.

“I put my pen on paper to say he will be a Springbok one day. He has all the credentials. He has the identity and personality.”

Neethling Fouché

The experienced prop was probably one of the most unlucky players to miss out on a Test cap in 2024, especially considering that he was on the fringes of the Springbok squad at times.

Fouché is a true attacking scrummager, and his power and mobility undoubtedly caught the eye of the Bok coaches, but ultimately Frans Malherbe, Vincent Koch and in-form Thomas du Toit ‘blocked’ his pathway to an international cap last year.

Fouché may be 32-years-old, but that is often a stage when props can still perform at their peak with all the experience of the dark arts at scrum time, and this season could finally see the popular Stormers front rower make the step up to the Test stage.

Former Springbok forwards coach Gary Gold recently endorsed the virtues of the Stormers stalwart, stating: “Neethling is technically really sound, but he’s good around the park as well. He’s mobile for a tighthead, it doesn’t compromise on his size and his weight and his strength. But he gets around the park.”

New caps from 2024:
Jordan Hendrikse
Edwill vd Merwe
Ben-Jason Dixon
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Johan Grobbelaar
Phepsi Buthelezi
Morne van den Berg
Andre-Hugo Venter
Ruan Venter
Quan Horn
Cameron Hanekom

WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE RECEIVE A TEST CAP THIS YEAR?

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/three-players-who-deserve-springbok-debuts-in-2025/