Hooker is a position where the Springboks lack a bit of depth, according to former captain Jean de Villiers, but he is encouraged by a recent development from the Bulls.<\/p>\n
Malcolm Marx was crowned World Rugby Player of the Year in 2025, but he largely dominated the position with Jan-Hendrik Wessels missing a chunk of the season through suspension.<\/p>\n
Bongi Mbonambi, 35, fell down the pecking order during the season, while Marnus van der Merwe was given a handful of opportunities after debuting against Georgia, and Johan Grobbelaar featured on the end-of-year tour.<\/p>\n
De Villiers still feels that the position isn\u2019t quite as stacked as the others in the Springboks squad, but he is pleased to see that the Bulls<\/a> are utilising usual flanker Marco van Staden in the role.<\/p>\n Massive tick for Rassie Erasmus<\/p>\n The 30-year-old provided the Springboks<\/a> with cover in the front row during the 2023 Rugby World Cup after Marx\u2019s injury and has been asked to do so by Erasmus on occasion, too.<\/p>\n However, his ability to play hooker has been further tested for the Bulls this season in the absence of the injured Akker van der Merwe, and De Villiers<\/a> has been impressed with what he has seen.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom a Bok point of view, I think it is extremely encouraging to see Marco van Staden as a back-up hooker. From a scrummaging point of view, he\u2019s doing well enough; he can only improve, but he is lineout darts on the weekend, amazing,\u201d the Springboks legend said on the Boks Unpacked<\/a> show, reflecting on the Bulls\u2019 win over Munster.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the one position where we are a little bit thin from a Springbok point of view, they\u2019re playing him more and more at hooker and if he comes through this season, that ticks a massive box for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Springboks: Rassie Erasmus \u2018spoilt for choice\u2019 despite RG Snyman\u2019s crushing setback and doubt over Lood de Jager<\/a><\/p>\n Former Bok hooker Hanyani Shimange agreed with the ex-centre, saying that Van Staden has the right attitude towards being a hybrid player for club and country. He also hopes that he will get more opportunities in the position in order to get sufficient reps in.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I like about Van Staden is he is the kind of player that you say, \u2018Listen, you\u2019re going to cover hooker.\u2019 and it\u2019s just \u2018ja\u2019, no complaints, and he\u2019s a tough kid, he is a tough, tough guy,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n \u201cHe just needs more time in the saddle there, but it\u2019s not a bad option because you will have X factor in terms of carrying and\u00a0over the ball. It\u2019s just the darts, and that comes with reps and time.\u201d<\/p>\n De Villiers added: \u201cThen you have the two Bulls guys that are hybrid players with Jan-Hendrik Wessels covering one and two and Marco van Staden covering hooker and flank.\u201d<\/p>\n