Jean de Villiers pinpoints ‘extremely encouraging’ development in a position where the Springboks are ‘thin’
Springboks forward Marco van Staden and an inset of Jean de Villiers.
Hooker is a position where the Springboks lack a bit of depth, according to former captain Jean de Villiers, but he is encouraged by a recent development from the Bulls.
Malcolm Marx was crowned World Rugby Player of the Year in 2025, but he largely dominated the position with Jan-Hendrik Wessels missing a chunk of the season through suspension.
Bongi Mbonambi, 35, fell down the pecking order during the season, while Marnus van der Merwe was given a handful of opportunities after debuting against Georgia, and Johan Grobbelaar featured on the end-of-year tour.
De Villiers still feels that the position isn’t quite as stacked as the others in the Springboks squad, but he is pleased to see that the Bulls are utilising usual flanker Marco van Staden in the role.
Massive tick for Rassie Erasmus
The 30-year-old provided the Springboks with cover in the front row during the 2023 Rugby World Cup after Marx’s injury and has been asked to do so by Erasmus on occasion, too.
However, his ability to play hooker has been further tested for the Bulls this season in the absence of the injured Akker van der Merwe, and De Villiers has been impressed with what he has seen.
“From a Bok point of view, I think it is extremely encouraging to see Marco van Staden as a back-up hooker. From a scrummaging point of view, he’s doing well enough; he can only improve, but he is lineout darts on the weekend, amazing,” the Springboks legend said on the Boks Unpacked show, reflecting on the Bulls’ win over Munster.
“That’s the one position where we are a little bit thin from a Springbok point of view, they’re playing him more and more at hooker and if he comes through this season, that ticks a massive box for us.”
Former Bok hooker Hanyani Shimange agreed with the ex-centre, saying that Van Staden has the right attitude towards being a hybrid player for club and country. He also hopes that he will get more opportunities in the position in order to get sufficient reps in.
“What I like about Van Staden is he is the kind of player that you say, ‘Listen, you’re going to cover hooker.’ and it’s just ‘ja’, no complaints, and he’s a tough kid, he is a tough, tough guy,” he replied.
“He just needs more time in the saddle there, but it’s not a bad option because you will have X factor in terms of carrying and over the ball. It’s just the darts, and that comes with reps and time.”
De Villiers added: “Then you have the two Bulls guys that are hybrid players with Jan-Hendrik Wessels covering one and two and Marco van Staden covering hooker and flank.”
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The 109-Test-cap former midfielder also praised the performance of rising star Cheswill Jooste and believes that the man of the match against Munster is also pressing for a Bok recall.
“Embrose Papier is becoming more and more part of the conversation again for higher honours at nine,” he remarked.
Van Staden could feature again at hooker this weekend when the Bulls tackle the Glasgow Warriors in the Investec Champions Cup round of 16 clash at Scotstoun Stadium.
He has been included in the travelling squad along with Wessels and Grobbelaar, who will cover the hooker position.
