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Springboks' master chef Rassie Erasmus set to cook up even more tasty combinations in 2025

Forum » Rugby » Springboks' master chef Rassie Erasmus set to cook up even more tasty combinations in 2025

Jan 30, 2025, 13:51

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus may take rotating his players in 2025 to a whole new level ahead of one of the much-anticipated international season later this year.

Erasmus started the first phase of his plan to build capacity and squad depth ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia by using an incredible 50 players across 13 Test matches  in 2024.

No less than 12 players made their debuts for the Springboks last year, with Jordan Hendrikse, Edwill van der 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 and Cameron Hanekom all wearing the green and gold for the first time.

But blooding these youngsters, while mixing and matching with the veterans, didn’t affect the Springboks’ performance on the field, as they won 11 of those Test matches to end with a win record of 84.6%

It was a brilliant campaign after the Boks’ 2023 Rugby World Cup triumph, with the platform being laid for an assault on the “three-peat” Down Under.

Erasmus didn’t have the same luxury after the 2019 World Cup, because of the Covid 19-pandemic. But Erasmus and then coach Jacques Nienaber had the luxury of taking the same players to France because they were still young enough to compete.

Some of the veterans are getting to retirement age ...

 

But a number of them are unlikely to make it to Australia in 2027, with double World Cup-winning Boks such as Makazole Mpimpi (34), Vincent Koch (34), Willie le Roux (35), Trevor Nyakane (35) will be in their later 30s by the time the tournament comes around.

In fact, the bulk of the current squad of players used in 2024 find themselves on the wrong side of 30. 

The 2025 season seems to be the best opportunity to provide the youngsters with substantial gametime because of the Boks’ fixture list at the start of the campaign.

The July Tests against Italy (two matches) and Georgia could see many of newbies being exposed to the rigors of Test rugby again, allowing them to gain invaluable experience and readiness for the pressures of high-stakes tournaments in the future. But it will also allow Erasmus to manage the workload of the 30-somethings in the team.

Best of the best to take on All Blacks

Erasmus is likely to play the big guns in the two matches against the All Blacks in New Zealand in the Rugby Championship. Much like he did in the two-Test series against Ireland, which was the only time the coach picked the same startling line-up.

The November tour matches against Ireland and France will also see the best-of-the-best turn up.

There is obviously a fine-line between keeping players fresh and going into an All Blacks Test match in Auckland undercooked. But Erasmus found a successful recipe last season and is likely to build on that.

Ultimately, though, the 2025 season represents phase two as far as the Springboks' 2027 World Cup plan is concerned. The foundation was laid last year, now it’s all about erecting the walls. But South Africans can rest easy knowing that they have a master builder called Rassie Erasmus.

Jan 30, 2025, 14:33

I m worried about Etzebeth's concussion problems - he is a key player for e 2027 RWC - but has no played any rugby since November 2024,    It now came up that he ahs concussion problems and that type of things have resulted in ending of careers of Rugby players in the past.   .

 

Jan 30, 2025, 14:39

Yes indeed we have a master builder in Rassie

One wonder how many rabbits Rassie has in his hat. What new something can he bring to give the Boks the edge. 

 

 

 

 

Jan 30, 2025, 17:24

I’d like to see the following players capped this year in order:

Jurenzo Julius 

Ruben v Heerden 

David Kriel

Ethan Hooker 

Tyrone Green

Vincent Tsituka

Manu Tsituka

Ruan Vermaak

Henco v Wyk

Nohamba 

JF v Heerden 

Ludwig 

Cobus Wiese 

Andre Smith 

Hanro Jacobs

Frans Klopper 

Francke Horn 

Corne Rahl 

Gumede 

Morabe 

Theunissen

Sadie

Masuku 

Hartzenberg 

Obviously not all of them but hopefullly a good chunk 

 

 

Jan 30, 2025, 23:15

These type of puff articles has been written so many times it’s boring….

No where in there is a mention of who he targets to choose next for this season , just laying the gat kruip on thick:)

 

 

Jan 31, 2025, 05:14

It's just a report, time will tell. Hanekom is a must, so is Roos, also he should start culling and kick start his succession plan after the year end tours.

Jan 31, 2025, 07:04

Rassie spends 2024 experimenting like mad.

As 2024 dawns, Denise posts the above.

Then Denise claims that at the close of 2025 succession planning should start rolling out.

LMFAO

 

Jan 31, 2025, 11:33

Yes time will tell indeed…there should be a focus on getting more new guys that are regular starters.

Elrigh is a set back also because he is one of the Young regulars.

we need more of those regulars and wiser selections.

 Like overlooking our local talent and getting a guy like Nicolaas janse VRensburg??

And he never even played once….what the hell is the use of that??

 

Jan 31, 2025, 12:45

I've yet to strike a coach who satisfies every rugby nut with his selections but ja I've known coaches who've upset a few, Rassie is no different. Sometimes a selection is blatantly obvious to the fan but for some obscure reason not so to the coach. Rassie though is in uncharted waters, caught in the crossroad of old and new, the RWC is huge, BMT is a huge factor for the non initiated, experience settles the nerves......the new kid on the block will need to rise to an occasion which is a lot different to playing at Ellis Park. Think Vermeulen at the last RWC....he was a rock.

Feb 03, 2025, 21:00

‘Springbok star Manie Libbok’……says the caption.

Feb 03, 2025, 21:03

Yep he is a class act - done some awesome stuff for the Boks 

Remember that no look cross kick in the WC

Brilliant stuff - great player 

 
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