Former Springboks boss Nick Mallett insists that Elrigh Louw or Cameron Hanekom could succeed Pieter-Steph du Toit when the legendary flanker eventually calls it a day.
The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year is the wrong side of 30 and will be 35 by the time of the next Rugby World Cup but he remains a key part of the South African set-up.
Du Toit has continued his fine form in 2025 as Rassie Erasmus’ men retained the Rugby Championship title earlier this month.
Erasmus is already looking to the future by bringing in some younger players ahead of the 2027 global tournament in Australia.
Horror injury
Louw was one of those to receive plenty of game time in 2024 but he suffered a nasty injury at the start of the year and probably won’t return until February 2026.
However, Mallett still has high hopes for the Bulls star and believes that he and Hanekom have what it takes to earn that role in the Springboks side.
“Elrigh, when he returns from injury, has the height, physical strength and rugby intelligence to become an excellent seven-flank,” he told Rapport.
“The other very special player is [Cameron] Hanekom. Maybe not quite as tall, but an excellent rugby player with a very high performance.
“He has a very high tackle count, a good passing game in contact situations and carries the ball very well. He also wins loose balls, which is an added bonus.
“If neither of them are fit to tour, there is the possibility of using [Ruan] Nortjé as a seven-flank. He covers the ground well, has a very good engine, makes a lot of tackles and is an excellent lineout exponent.”
Hanekom is another Bulls player currently nursing an injury but he is expected to return later this year.
It may be too soon for the November internationals but the 23-year-old is very highly rated by those in South Africa.
Usually a number eight, former Springboks back-rower and captain Corne Krige insists that he has the ability to switch to the side of the scrum when Du Toit retires.
“I think Cameron can definitely step into Pieter-Steph’s place,” Krige said. “He can ‘jackal’ in the fight. Jasper [Wiese] is good at eight, so I’ll move Cameron to seven… just my opinion.”
‘No gimmicks’
Another former Boks flanker to offer his view was Willem Alberts who, like Mallett, is a fan of Louw and his uncomplicated approach to the game.
“I enjoy his game, because there are no gimmicks,” Alberts said.
“What you see is what you get. Elrigh is tough and straight forward. I really like that he puts his body on the line for his teammates.
“I think if Elrigh is going to play, the composition of the loose trio is important, complementing his strengths.”
Alberts, who started his career at the Lions and earned 43 South Africa caps, also put forward another name, but admits that he is not quite at Test level just yet.
“A young player I like is the Lions’ Ruan Venter. By dominating physically against men, he was able to do things at 21 that I don’t think I could do in the first five years of my career,” he said.
“Physically he certainly has what it takes to play Test rugby, but I think psychologically he still has a way to go. He needs guidance from a good coach…
“I think Ruan Venter needs that kind of mentor/coach. It feels to me like he’s struggling to take that next level at the Lions.
“He’s already shown he can be a Bok, but needs that next step to be in the Pieter-Steph class. If he proves himself a little and is pulled into the Bok group, guys like Rassie and Daan Human can hopefully turn him into a monster.”