Rassie Erasmus’ loose forward stocks hit again as ‘beast mode’ Springbok hopeful ruled out
Another setback for the Springboks ahead of the Ireland series.
Rassie Erasmus’ back-row stocks have taken another blow as Springboks hopeful Cameron Hanekom looks set to miss the two Test matches against Ireland.
Erasmus is set to name an updated squad ahead of the series following the conclusion of the United Rugby Championship, with the Bulls falling to the Glasgow Warriors in the final.
Players based at Premiership and Top 14 clubs are also set to link up with the squad, while many of the Bulls stars are set to be involved, too.
Cameron Hanekom’s injury
However, uncapped back-rower Hanekom looks likely to miss out on a call-up after sustaining an injury in the final against Glasgow.
The 22-year-old impressed during the URC season with a particularly brilliant performance in the semi-final victory over Leinster.
His breakout season with the Bulls led to his call-up to the Bok squad for the alignment camps, and he was widely expected to be included in the wider squad to tackle Ireland.
But a hamstring injury that he sustained in the 48th minute of the final could rule him out of the two Test matches, according to reporter Hendrik Cronje.
It’s a further blow to the loose forward stocks, with Jasper Wiese ruled out of the series through suspension after his sending-off in his final outing for Leicester Tigers.
Earning Schalk Burger’s praise
Hanekom has been in the spotlight after his stunning performances for the Bulls, earning the praise of Springbok great Schalk Burger.
“Looking to the Irish series, there’s one position where we don’t have someone who’s been like Duane Vermeulen who was a shoo-in as the starter,” Burger said on the Boks Office podcast.
“Jasper Wiese is suspended… Cameron Hanekom for me, he has put his hand up with a performance like that against Leinster.”
He added: “Hanekom had a watershed performance in his career that was beast mode stuff even from the first attacking set from Leinster, half a line break, and he was in there on the ground, carried, tackled – what a performance.”
South Africa got their international season underway on Saturday against Wales with Erasmus’ charges claiming a convincing 41-13 victory.
Evan Roos started that Test at number eight, with Kwagga Smith shifting into the role in the latter stages of the match.
The aforementioned pair are likely to be the front runners for the starting eight role against Ireland, while Hanekom’s clubmate Elrigh Louw could also be in line if he is called into the squad.
