Rassie Erasmus praised Cameron Hanekom’s rapid growth at No 8 for the Springboks, though the head coach is quick to point out that Jasper Wiese remains first choice.
The 24-year-old Hanekom starred in Saturday’s 17-10 win over Los Pumas in Argentina, scoring a try in his third Test and second start in the green and gold at senior level.
Wiese started three of South Africa’s first four matches this year, but the 2023 World Cup winner did not make the trip to Buenos Aires.
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Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Test and the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, Erasmus named his back-up options for Wiese, and he acknowledged post-match Hanekom’s rising stock among those vying for a spot at the back of the scrum.
“Jasper Wiese is clearly our No 1 at 8,” the Bok boss said. “Cameron played well against an Argentinian team that knocked us over a few times, so it’s lucky to have another option there.
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“I thought Elrigh Louw did well at stages, and obviously we’ve got Pieter-Steph du Toit and Paul de Villiers, Siya Kolisi’s coming back and André Esterhuizen can play at 8, and Marco van Staden played at 8 for us. It’s lekker to have those options.
“We’ll try and pick the 23 that we think can beat New Zealand. But definitely, Cameron has started to settle nicely in the team.
“He’s starting to be calm, understanding what we’re trying to do, and he’s getting better every game.”
Photo: Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images
The post Hanekom puts the heat on Wiese appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Rassie Erasmus praised Cameron Hanekom’s rapid growth at No 8 for the Springboks, though the head coach is quick to point out that Jasper Wiese remains first choice.
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