Steven Kitshoff has pushed back on the prevailing narratives around Cameron Hanekom's Springbok future. While the debate has centred on whether Hanekom fills the Kwagga Smith void or eventually succeeds Kolisi at 8, Kitshoff argues the more realistic near-term role is covering Pieter-Steph du Toit at blindside flanker. His reasoning: Jasper Wiese's experience makes the 8 jersey a tough crack, but with Erasmus likely to manage du Toit's workload ahead of the 2027 World Cup, Hanekom's athleticism and wide-channel ability make him a natural fit at 7. Kitshoff draws a direct comparison to Ben Earl — a powerful, high-output carrier capable of going 80 minutes — and calls him 'violent' with ball in hand. Hanekom is on the bench for Saturday's England Test at Ellis Park, set to earn his second cap after a hamstring injury wiped out his 2025 international season.
Kitshoff sees Hanekom as du Toit cover, not Kolisi successor
Kitshoff argues Hanekom's clearest Bok pathway isn't at 8 or as Kolisi's heir, but as du Toit's cover at blindside — with World Cup load management likely to open that door.
Nché injury concern headlining Bok casualty list ahead of Scotland clash at Loftus
Rassie Erasmus is sweating over the fitness of Ox Nché, Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and André Esterhuizen ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship match against Scotland at Loftus, after all four picked up injuries during or before the 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park.
The Ruck: Springboks 'running the game on and off the pitch' as England obliterated at Ellis Park
The Ruck panel, reporting from Ellis Park, argued that England were overwhelmed in every department by a Springbok side missing six or seven key forwards — and that Rassie Erasmus's squad depth is now the most ominous thing in world rugby ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Boks' Ellis Park demolition of England reveals genuine depth — and sharp halftime adaptability
Cardinelli argues the Ellis Park rout matters less for the scoreline than for what it revealed: a Bok group capable of genuine halftime tactical adjustment — the quality conspicuously absent in the 2025 Wallabies loss — while operating well short of their first-choice squad. The piece weighs what the win tells us about depth, Libbok's revival, and the fringe players who will matter when the All Blacks series rotation bites.
Halftime flashbacks and World Cup depth: Rassie's takeaways from the England win
Erasmus drew a direct line between last year's Australia collapse and his halftime intervention against England, while framing the 45-21 win — achieved with an underdone, reshaped side — as evidence his depth-building plan is on track for 2027.
Rassie Erasmus to receive Order of Ikhamanga — South Africa's highest national honour
Rassie Erasmus will receive the Order of Ikhamanga — South Africa's highest national honour — from President Cyril Ramaphosa at an investiture ceremony on 19 May, recognising his role in the Springboks' back-to-back World Cup titles and his contribution to national unity.