With 2025 upon us, Planet Rugby has selected five players who could possibly make their international debuts for the world champions, South Africa, during the year.
After winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups in 2019 and 2023, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has added to the world champions’ depth by selecting 12 Test newbies in 2024.
We expect him to increase the number of Springboks debutants this year and here is a selection of players who we feel have a good chance of making the step up to international level.
JD Schickerling (Stormers)
This was a tough decision as the 29-year-old’s second-row partner Ruben van Heerden is also a player who has impressed for the Stormers in recent seasons but Schickerling gets the nod as his return to the Cape Town-based outfit from Japan has coincided with a much improved lineout effort from the team this season.
With Schickerling in charge of the set-piece, the Stormers now have one of the best operating lineouts in the URC with a 90 per cent success rate.
In the past, Springboks hooker Joseph Dweba has received plenty of criticism for his poor lineout throw-ins but he has improved considerably in that facet of play and has credited Schickerling’s presence in the Stormers’ set-up for that improvement.
Schickerling’s prowess at the lineouts makes him one of the first names on the Stormers team-sheet as he has been in their starting line-up for all of their United Rugby Championship matches this season. He shifts between the number four and five positions which makes him a real asset for the Stormers, and his utility value could also come in handy for the Springboks in 2025.
Ethan Hooker (Sharks)
Speaking of utility value, in Hooker the Sharks have a player who is equally adept at playing centre or wing and he has delivered several outstanding performances for the Durban-based outfit in either midfield position or out wide this season.
When at full strength, the Sharks can field as many as 12 or 13 Springboks in their starting line-up and it’s an indication of how highly Hooker is rated by head coach John Plumtree as he usually is among the two or three uncapped players in the run-on side.
While his preferred position has always been inside centre, Hooker has also shone in the number 13 jersey but, with Springboks duo Andre Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am being the first choice players for those respective positions – and fellow youngster Jurenzo Julius also in the mix at outside centre – Hooker has also focused on playing on the wing where he is yet to disappoint for the Sharks.
The 21-year-old possesses a high work-rate and excellent physicality on attack and defence, qualities which will come in handy if he is called up to the Springboks set-up which could become a reality in 2025.
David Kriel (Bulls)
Another backline player who possesses utility value, the 25-year-old has made his mark mostly at inside centre for the Bulls in recent seasons but is also capable of slotting in at outside centre or at full-back.
Kriel’s value for Jake White’s side was on display primarily in the number 12 jersey during their run to the 2023/24 URC final – which they eventually lost to Glasgow Warriors – and his creativity in midfield created numerous try-scoring opportunities for outside backs like Springboks flyers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie.
Apart from his attacking abilities, Kriel is solid on defence while he also possesses an excellent kicking game – out of hand and at goal – all qualities which could put him in the conversation when it comes to Springboks selection.
Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets)
The former Cheetahs hooker joined Welsh region the Scarlets ahead of the 2024/25 season after catching the eye with several outstanding performances for the Bloemfontein-based outfit in the European Challenge Cup and Currie Cup competitions.