Springboks great’s Pieter-Steph du Toit theory with ‘violent’ rookie to ‘feature’ more
Springboks flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit and an inset of Cameron Hanekom.
Double Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks prop Steven Kitshoff believes Cameron Hanekom has a “big chance” this year after missing the 2025 international season through injury.
The Bulls back-rower is in line to earn just his second Test cap when South Africa face off against England at Ellis Park on Saturday after being included on the bench for the Nations Championship match.
Hanekom made his Test debut against Wales in November 2024, a match the Boks won 45-12 in Cardiff, but he was denied the opportunity to build on his first appearance in Green and Gold because of a hamstring injury.
He recovered from that setback to star for the Bulls as the Pretoria-based franchise reached the United Rugby Championship final and was subsequently recalled to Rassie Erasmus’ squad to prepare for the July internationals.
Cam Hanekom’s ‘big chance
The 24-year-old has been tipped for a long international career for the Springboks, and while many believe that he could fill Kwagga Smith’s void this year with the Bomb Squad regular sidelined, others believe he is the long-term successor to Siya Kolisi, but Kitshoff has another theory.
Firstly, the former Bok says that it will be difficult for Hanekom to get minutes at number eight for South Africa because of Jasper Wiese, but he did liken the rookie forward to England star Ben Earl.
“He’s got a big chance,” Kitshoff said on the For the Love of Rugby SA podcast.
“He is definitely going to push for that spot that Jasper has; he’s a big ball carrier, a massive engine; he is a lot like Ben Earl; he has got that ability to play for 80 minutes and just be devastating when he gets his hands on the ball. He’s violent.”
Where Kitshoff believes that Hanekom will be valuable is in giving Erasmus an alternative option to two-time World Rugby Player of the Year, Pieter-Steph du Toit.
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Pieter-Steph du Toit theory
The 33-year-old has been a consistent feature in the Boks’ matchday 23 under Erasmus and former head coach Jacques Nienaber. Du Toit played nine of the Boks’ 14 Test matches last year and 10 of the 13 the year before. The likes of Ben-Jason Dixon, Elrigh Louw, Franco Mostert, and Vincent Tshituka have been tested in the blindside flanker role in recent times, but Du Toit remains the first-choice and incredibly important for the Springboks in the big Test matches.
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Kitshoff believes that Hanekom could ease that reliance on the 95-Test cap international as he sees a lot of the same traits in the rising star.
“It’s tough to see him at eight with Jasper’s experience, but we might see Pieter-Steph being rested a couple more times in preparation for next year’s World Cup, and then you’ll see Cameron Hanekom maybe feature at seven because he’s such a dynamic ball carrier and he can play on the wide channels as well,” the retired prop said.
“He had an incredible breakout season last year. Unfortunately, he had that hammy injury, but also towards the back end of the URC, he’s been in form; he’s playing so well. Every time he gets his hands on the ball, it’s devastating. He gets momentum. He’s been a real asset for the Bulls.”
