Springboks hooker back in Rassie Erasmus’ plans after World Cup snub
Springboks hooker Joseph Dweba and head coach Rassie Erasmus.
Stormers hooker Joseph Dweba is reportedly back on the Springboks’ radar after he missed the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The 28-year-old featured twice for the Boks in the build-up to the World Cup but was omitted from the 33-man squad for the tournament, with Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx the only two specialised hookers selected.
Following Marx’s injury during the pool stages, Erasmus and then-head coach Jacques Nienaber backed back-rowers Deon Fourie and Marco van Staden to fill in at hooker and controversially called up fly-half Handre Pollard instead.
Dweba back in the mix
Fourie would go on to play most of the final against New Zealand after Mbonambi’s injury early on in the showpiece event.
Dweba looked to have slipped further down the Springboks’ pecking order as he was not invited to Erasmus’ first alignment camp in February.
Marx and Mbonambi attended the camp alongside uncapped hookers Johan Grobbelaar, Andre-Hugo Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Marnus van der Merwe.
However, he looks to be back on the Boks‘ radar, with Afrikaans newspaper Rapport stating that he was invited to the virtual camp.
He was joined by Sharks full-back Aphelele Fassi, who also missed the first camp but has since earned his spot through his form.
Dweba has reclaimed the starting jersey for the Stormers and with challenging games ahead, he could force his way up the pecking order.
The camps are part of the Springboks’ preparations for the 2024 international season, which kicks off with a clash against Wales at Twickenham.
Erasmus could turn to Dweba for the game against Wales if the Stormers don’t make the URC final, with Sharks hooker Mbonambi in the running to start the clash and potentially captain the side.
Rassie Erasmus’ three-man shortlist to fill Siya Kolisi’s Springboks captaincy void
However, there is an opportunity for a hooker to earn a Test debut if Marx has not recovered fully from the knee injury that ended his World Cup.
Cheetahs hooker Van der Merwe could get the nod after impressing the selectors with his form in the Currie Cup and Challenge Cup, as well as during his stint with Ospreys.
‘Definitely the best’ – Andre Esterhuizen ranks Marcus Smith ahead of Springboks teammates
Springboks fixtures
Saturday, 22 June: Springboks vs Wales (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 6 July: Springboks vs Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 13 July: Springboks vs Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, 20 July: Springboks vs Portugal (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
Saturday, 10 August: Australia vs Springboks (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Saturday, 17 August: Australia vs Springboks (Optus Stadium, Perth)
Saturday, 31 August: Springboks vs New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 7 September: Springboks v New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, 21 September: Argentina v Springboks (venue TBC)
Saturday, 28 September: Springboks v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
Sunday, 10 November: Scotland vs Springboks (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
Saturday, 16 November: England vs Springboks (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 23 November: Wales vs Springboks (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
