The Springboks could be without the services of powerhouse forward Jasper Wiese for the upcoming July internationals.
Rassie Erasmus’ charges will face the Barbarians at the end of June before back-to-back Tests against Italy then Georgia before the Rugby Championship.
However, they do so without World Cup-winning number eight Wiese whose season in Japan was brought to a swift end due to a neck injury.
It has yet to be disclosed just how long the 29-year-old will be out for having returned to South Africa to undergo surgery but one cannot be overly cautious when it comes to neck injuries.
With this in mind, we take a look at who Erasmus could turn to to fill Wiese’s void in the number eight jersey against the Baa-baas, Azzurri and Lelos.
Front runners: Evan Roos, Cameron Hanekom
While Erasmus selected 50 different players for the Springboks in 2024, just four men wore the number eight Green and Gold jumper, they were Kwagga Smith, Elrigh Louw, Wiese and Evan Roos.
Louw would have surely been the clear front runner had he not a career-threatening leg injury that has put him out of action in 2025. The Bulls forward was superb in the Bok jersey last year and played 10 Test matches but will only return to the field in 2026.
Wiese missed the Boks’ opening six games in 2024 through suspension and if he is to be unavailable again this year, Erasmus will surely turn to either Roos or Cameron Hanekom to fill his void.
Roos started against Wales and Portugal last year in Wiese’s absence before deciding to go under the knife and sort out a troublesome shoulder strain that was affecting his performances. He has been in solid form for the Stormers since returning from another injury setback. While he hasn’t been a regular member of the Bok squad, the coaches clearly see something they like in his game and have given him multiple opportunities to stake his claim with mixed results. Like Louw last year, this could really be his breakout year in international rugby.
However, the same is very much true for his Bulls counterpart Hanekom. There is a suggestion, one that Erasmus has raised too, that Hanekom is better suited on the side of the scrum at the highest level. But he could get a chance to press for regular involvements at the back of the scrum this year if Wiese is sidelined. There is no doubt that the 22-year-old has the all-court game to thrive at Test level but just needs to catch an injury break. He will surely be selected in the wider squad and then it is up to him to force Erasmus’ hand.
In the mix: Kwagga Smith, Siya Kolisi
While Smith was one of the four number eights to start for the Springboks last year, it is clear that he is most impactful from the bench and arguably the best ‘Bomb Squad’ exponent the Boks have. But still, he will be in the mix for the starting jersey in Wiese’s absence having started in the role against Ireland last July.
There is also an interesting debate to be had with Siya Kolisi who Erasmus has confirmed will continue to lead this year. The double World Cup-winning skipper has played more Test matches at flank than any other player in Springboks history (77) but most of his appearances for the Sharks this season have come at the back of the scrum.
Kolisi has been in excellent form for the Sharks despite his team’s see-saw results and could be a handy selection option for Erasmus. Italy posted the worst lineout success in the Six Nations and while that was at 90%, Erasmus has the luxury of players like Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ben-Jason Dixon who can bolster the jumper options on the side of the scrum, meaning the number eight doesn’t necessarily need to jump but Kolisi has also been adding that asset to his game in recent matches with the Sharks.
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Outside bets: Francke Horn, Dan du Preez and Jean-Luc du Preez
The Springbok alignment camp invitees has also given an indication of who is on Erasmus’ radar and locally, Francke Horn is one of the standout options. He has been a leading force in everything that has gone right for the Lions in recent seasons and while he is an uncapped player, he is surely a strong outside bet to fill Wiese’s void.
If not him, then Sale Sharks stars Dan and Jean-Luc du Preez will most certainly come into the frame. The pair have been consistent performers for the Manchester-based club but have suffered from being abroad, with Erasmus backing local talents like Louw and Roos after Wiese.
The brothers have been on the fringe of the Springboks squads in recent years and if fit, either could fill the void with little fuss. Dan is the more out-and-out option in terms of a number eight but Jean-Luc offers more versatility having played in the second-row for Sale too. Could this be the year that the Du Preezs earn recalls?
Wild cards: Celimpilo Gumede, Marcell Coetzee and Phepsi Buthelezi
The depth in the Springboks back-row is further highlighted with the quality of our ‘wild cards’ which includes 31-Test cap forward Marcell Coetzee.
Coetzee has been in outstanding form for the Bulls of late but that is nothing new for the 31-year-old. His last cap for the Boks was back in 2022 and hasn’t got a look in since and was not one of the players who were invited to the alignment camp. For whatever reason, Coetzee just doesn’t seem to fit into Erasmus and his coaching staff’s plans.
Meanwhile, Celimpilo Gumede isn’t a regular starter for the Bulls but is in the mix for the Boks having trained with the squad last year and was invited to the camp this year. He will also fancy his chance as will Sharks forward Phepsi Buthelezi.
Buthelezi made his Test debut for the Springboks against Portugal last year but notably did so in the number six jersey. Erasmus drew similarities between him and Kolisi at the time which is the only reason why he features lower down in the pecking order.
Slimmest chance: Juarno Augustus, Deon Fourie, Tshituka brothers
As mentioned above, the alignment camp invitees give an indication of who is in the selection frame and who is not.
It is still unclear whether the Tshituka brothers can be selected or not despite Emmanuel and Vincent both getting their South African passports. Both players are capable of playing at number eight with the position being Emmanuel’s preferred role. But again, it is unclear whether Erasmus can select them or not.
Meanwhile, despite consistently performing well for Northampton Saints, Juarno Augustus remains on the outers of the Bok squad. He was not part of the overseas contingent who were invited for the online section of the alignment camp. Perhaps his move to Ulster and the URC will give him greater exposure to the Bok coaches next season.
Finally, Deon Fourie was invited to the camps but the oldest Springboks debutant has not played much rugby at the back of the scrum since returning to South Africa from France. He was almost exclusively a number eight during the latter stages of his time at Lyon and all of his stint at Grenoble but has played mostly on the side of the scrum for the Stormers.
In 2023, he did pack down at number eight for the Boks on occasion when coming off the bench but one would imagine that if he adds to his cap tally in 2025 it will be as part of the Bomb Squad.
Real wild shouts: Arno Botha and Hanro Liebenberg
Finally, two wild shouts come from France and England in the form of Arno Botha of Lyon and Hanro Liebenberg of Leicester Tigers.
Botha has been in solid form for his French club ever since he left the Bulls. Lyon had a tough start to the season but have improved after a change in coach. While Botha has been a key part of their success, the 33-year-old looks unlikely to add to his two Test caps considering his age and the plethora of talent ahead of him.
As for Lienbenberg, he is perhaps the most consistent forward in the Premiership and has been for several seasons now. That has not been enough for him to catch the eye of the Bok selectors, and that is unlikely to change this year.
READ MORE: Rassie Erasmus issues two-word response after World Rugby decides the fate of the Bomb Squad
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/jasper-wiese-out-who-rassie-erasmus-could-turn-to-as-springboks-insane-depth-is-laid-bare
