Former Bok coaches name potential Springbok debutants coming in 2025

The current Bok boss rotated heavily in 2024, with 50 players appearing for the national team in total with an eye towards building towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Several newcomers made their Springbok bows, including Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who was nominated for World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year.

Erasmus will likely look to blood more breakthrough talent in 2025 and Mallett believes it may well come at centre or prop.

"Ethan Hooker, he's a guy that I think at centre, not on the wing, he's someone with pace and great physical ability," he told the Boks Office podcast.

"He off-loads, is great defensively and just fits into our style of centre that we have.

"As a tighthead prop, Neethling Fouche is a guy that they've overlooked. I think technically he would be right up there with Malherbe.

"Maybe Thomas 'The Tank' [du Toit] can run around the field with a ball better but I think Neethling is a proper scrummaging tighthead prop, who can also tackle."

Gold agreed with Mallett's assessment about Fouche, who plays for the same team as Stormers star Malherbe but has always impressed when selected.

"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 weight, but he gets around the park," the former Springboks assistant coach said.

"Not taking away anything from [Vincent] Koch, who's been to two World Cups, but I think there's a place for this guy."

Gold then added another name into the mix as the Bulls' David Kriel was praised. Although the back fits the mould of a typical South African centre, the 57-year-old believes that there is much more to his game.

"Somebody who shouldn't be overlooked is David Kriel. He's big, he's tall, he's physical, he passes beautifully and he's got a great kicking game," he said.

"Aerially he's excellent and he's got a very good temperament. He's also diverse and can play in a couple of positions, although 12 is his position."

Gold's other pick was the slightly lesser-known teenager JC Mars, who has already debuted for the Stormers this season despite not turning 20 until June.

"A young and up-and-coming guy who I really like is JC Mars. I think he's got huge potential. He came on a couple of weeks ago for the Stormers, scored a fantastic try which was Cheslin-esque," he said.

"I love those kind of players, it lends to our play when we set big platforms from our forwards and unleash the backs to play. I really like him, I think he's fantastic."

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