Players To Watch | Springbok Squad Announcement

Rassie Erasmus has named his Springbok team to face Italy in their second and final test match of this test window with a number of players on debut some interesting positional changes and most notably Willie le Roux making his 100th appearance. Here are our players to watch.

Willie le Roux:

le Roux made his Springbok debut on the 8th June 2013 against Italy in Durban. He was playing for the Griquas at the time and played his first 12 tests while in Kimberly before moving the the Cheetahs. Just 13 of his 100 games have been off the bench. He is a Lions Tour winner and won the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and 2023 with the Springboks

Canan Moodie:

Moodie, known as a winger for the Bulls and Springboks, grew up playing in the midfield. Exceptional under the high ball with speed to burn it was his defence that got him the chance to move into the well looked after Springbok 13 jersey. While Rassie Erasmus has said in the past that Moodie has been earmarked to make the move more permanent he will have his work cut out for him against Menoncello.

Ethan Hooker:

A player that is an out and out midfielder but set the URC alight playing on the wing for the Sharks, it will be interesting to see where he is deplayed. He is surprisingly fast and works hard on both sides of the ball making him a player that will very likely be in the Springbok set up for a while.

Salmaan Moerat:

The Springbok captain is polarising with the fans but the key decision makers have no doubt that he is the man for the job. While the Springboks are flush with stars at lock they are looking to the future with the Stormers man and watch out for his hard work in the trenches and the Springbok line out.