URC: Seven stars who could catch new Springbok coaching team’s eye

Dylan Coetzee
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Split with Stormers Hacjivah Dayimani and Sacha Feinburg-Mngomezulu and Lions stars Sanele Nohamba.

Split with Stormers Hacjivah Dayimani and Sacha Feinburg-Mngomezulu and Lions stars Sanele Nohamba.

The United Rugby Championship returns this weekend with a boatload of intriguing derbies giving South African stars a chance to throw their name in the hat for selection in the mid-year Tests.

Ahead of what is set to be a blockbuster round, we take a closer look at which players will be looking to catch the eye of Rassie Erasmus and his new Springbok coaching staff.

Hacjivah Dayimani (Stormers)

The dynamic loose forward is the most obvious Springbok bolter on the list after building on some great form last season with game changing form this season.

Dayimani’s attack has never been an issue with his sheer pace and ability to beat defenders obvious but in the past he may have lacked one-v-one defensive nouse. That, however, has changed with the Stormer looking progressively better on both sides of the ball.

Not only is his form too good to ignore but the injury to Kwagga Smith who is so crucial to the Springboks 6-2 or 7-1 split on the bench has left a massive hole. The all-around skill-set required to fill Smith’s void is hard to come by with Dayimani one of the few obvious candidates.

What is left for the star is to continue the good form and be present in the big moments and it could be interesting to see whether Erasmus rolls the dice by selecting Daymani who is not of the typical Springbok mould when it comes to loose forwards.

Sacha Feinburg-Mngomezulu (Stormers)

Prodigy. It is as simple as that, the starlet’s talent is not in question at all. Feinburg-Mngomezulu has it all; outstanding kicking out of hand and at goal, brilliant spatial awareness, a good turn of pace with the step to match and most importantly the composed head to round it all off.

The former Junior Springboks skipper was getting some good rhythm at 12 earlier in the season, where he showed some sparks in the midfield and pin-point accuracy off the kicking tee. Unfortunately injury has hampered his season but he has been in full training for a few weeks and should be ready to go.

With Bok trio Deon Fourie, Damian Willemse and importantly in this case Manie Libbok expected to be rested as per Springbok protocols, it offers the unique opportunity for head coach John Dobson to give the prodigy a run in his preferred fly-half position.

The Boks are well aware of Feinburg-Mngomezulu’s talent having involved him in some camps in 2022 and the South Africa ‘A’ set-up. He truly has something special about him and it feels as if it is only a matter of time until he well and truly bursts onto the scene. A player and name to watch and remember.

Cameron Hanekom (Bulls)

The number eight has been the newcomer of the season so far in the South African context as he caught attention early in the season for his barnstorming carrying and offloading ability.

He is fairly complete for a 21-year-old, who also defends really well and is an asset in the collision area in general. A lovely aspect to Hanekom’s play is that he is always determined to influence the game whether through a busting carry or a big hit on defence.

Since Duane Vermeulen’s retirement one could assume that Jasper Wiese is the incumbent but ultimately there is space for another number eight and with Evan Roos struggling with niggling injuries and lack of game time there may be a hole for Hanekom to bust through.

Ruan Nortje (Bulls)

It was interesting to see Jake White hand the lock the captain’s armband at such a young age and it has been equally interesting to watch him with it.

Nortje has been capped for the Boks and looks to be a player who has many more caps in him, however, he has to find his way past the hoards of second-row talent in the country – something he is more than capable of.

The Bulls man has shades of Lood de Jager to him and appears to be growing into a more and more complete player. If he keeps up his form it would only make sense to have him in the national set-up, at the very least in the alignment camps.

Neethling Fouche (Stormers)

Any coach will tell you how valuable a complete tighthead prop is to a rugby team and with one of the Stormers key leaders that is what you get.

Fouche has come a long way in the last two seasons and with the help of Brok Harris and double Rugby World Cup winner Frans Malherbe has developed into a powerful scrummager. Add to that his impressive mobility and it makes him and interesting option to include in the Springboks set-up.

The prop also comes with a presence in the dressing round with his leadership absolutely key to the Stormers turning their season around. He will have to be on his mark come the weekend when the side travels to the Sharks.

Sanele Nohamba (Lions)

Possibly the best South African player in the URC this season and one that has seamlessly been switching between scrum-half and fly-half with absolute aplomb, so much so that highly-rated fly-half Jordan Hendrikse has had to spend a lot of time on the bench.

A cornerstone of Nohamba’s game is his astute rugby brain. The way he creates plays with his bullet of a pass or clever kicking game is brilliant to watch. He is constantly looking to influence the game and importantly plays with his head up as his chaotic drop-goal against the Bulls earlier in the season typifies.

The Springboks have rewarded versatile players with selections under Erasmus and Nohamba has truly internalised that. Sure there is a big pool of outstanding scrum-halves in the mix but the Lion gives options at nine and 10 with his accurate goal kicking as the cherry on top. A player like Nohamba is an attractive prospect, especially if there is a 7-1 bench split selected.

Aphelele Fassi (Sharks)

The Shark has been capped by the Springboks and frustratingly has failed to build on that. Of course, the back-three stocks are plentiful in the country but Fassi’s talent is so clear that one feels he should have forced his way in by now.

The speedster has been in good form particularly in the Challenge Cup but it is difficult to truly shine in a team that is going through a rather underwhelming period.

Fassi’s kicking game has improved a lot, so has his one-v-one defence but with all his experience it is now time for him to kick on and inspire a turnaround in the Sharks season.

The truth is he is far from Springboks selection at this stage but with his ability that can change very quickly.

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Bulls Hacjivah Dayimani