Five Springbok youngsters set to impress in 2025

Here, SABC Sport looks at five rising stars who are set to make waves for the all-conquering Springboks in the upcoming season. 

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Perhaps the weight of expectation lies heaviest on the shoulders of young Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

The Cape Town native burst on the Bok scene in 2024, making the most of his opportunities. One of his first touches included slotting a 53m bomb on debut against Wales. Just three weeks later, he found himself in deep waters, playing 78 minutes against Ireland after Willie le Roux went off for concussion.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu went on to impress in the Rugby Championship. Starting at flyhalf, he helped steer the Boks to two victories over Australia away and New Zealand at home.

However prodigious his talent, the 22-year-old has been injury-prone. We hope luck and conditioning make a difference going forward. Feinberg-Mngomezulu has shown he has the mettle at international level, but his body just needs to back him up.

Jan-Hendrik Wessels

It's no secret that coach Rassie Erasmus values versatility and Wessels is one of those rare breeds who is able to switch between loosehead prop and hooker. The Boks haven't seen a player such as this since legendary former captain John Smit.

Still only 23, Wessels has been putting in big shifts for the Bulls at hooker. In line with the modern game, the Bloemfontein native is an athletic hooker who gets around the park.  Bok stocks at No.2 are currently healthy with Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi, but the future could well belong to Wessels. While he only has three caps, we expect that to increase in 2025 as Erasmus gives himself options.

Aphelele Fassi

The Sharks flyer has graduated from his Weekend Special moniker to Mr Consistent. After a debut in 2021, Fassi spent a few years in the Bok wilderness. But with veteran le Roux making way for the rising star last year, Fassi has proved he belongs.

Defusing high bombs with aplomb and silky running are the order of the day for the 26-year-old, who made the most clean breaks in the 2023/2024 URC. Internationally, Fassi only had four starts in the Rugby Championship but bagged four tries. His defence has improved as well. At fullback, you need to be brave at the very least.

With le Roux likely hanging up his astute boots in the very near future, Fassi is fighting for the No. 15 jersey with Damian Willemse. But under le Roux's tutelage, the best is yet to come.

Canan Moodie

The backline star is the Boks' good luck charm. The World Champions have won every one of the 12 matches Moodie has featured in. The Bulls star also has the versatility card up his sleeve as he's been deployed successfully at outside centre and the wing both domestically and internationally. He's picked up no less than 25 tries since the Pretoria franchise joined the United Rugby Championship in 2021.

Moodie is elusive on attack and strong under the high ball, but perhaps the most underrated aspect of his game is his defence. At 1.9, and 92kg, the brave Boland baller is able to stand up well in the tackle. This is a key requirement at outside centre

Cameron Hanekom

The 22-year-old's meteoric rise in Pretoria earned him his first Bok cap against Wales last year. Hanekom is absolutely rampant with ball in hand. His exceptional footwork and power have left many defenders on the back grasping at fresh air.

In the URC last season, Hanekom was in the top 15 for successful carries and his deft touch with the ball was also on display, as he ranked second in the competition for offloads.

The future looks bright for the explosive loose forward as the Boks look to play a more expansive game. A player with Hanekom abilities could be most impactful at the back end of a Test match.

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