The Springboks under Rassie Erasmus are set to usher in a new era with a number of exciting young players.
Erasmus has started to blood new talent into the Springboks set-up with a clear focus on the future of South African rugby.
Several of these rising young stars were given more prominent roles in 2025.
SPRINGBOK STARS TO DEFINE THE FUTURE OF BOK RUGBY
SACHA FEINBERG-MNGOMEZULU
The 23-year-old Springbok flyhalf proved in 2025 that the future of SA rugby is in great hands.
He was outstanding for the Boks, producing some of the finest performances you will ever see from a flyhalf in world rugby.
He scored the most points by a Springbok player in a Test match (37) during the Boks’ 67-30 victory over Argentina in the Rugby Championship.
Thereafter, he went on to deliver one big performance after another, including, another man of the match display against France in Paris.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu has it all – he is truly the full package. He is composed off the kicking tee and a highly skilled game-breaker, and a nightmare for opposition defenders.
He has the maturity of a veteran No 10, with a calm head on his shoulders.
In 2025, he started eight Tests and played in 11 of the Springboks’ 14 matches.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu started in all of the Springboks’ ‘biggest’ Test matches, including away fixtures against France and Ireland. This was despite veteran Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok both being fit and available for selection.
Therefore, it’s clear that Erasmus intends to utilise Feinberg-Mngomezulu as his first-choice flyhalf going forward.
At the very least, he is being prepped to replace the legendary Pollard, who, at 31, is now seemingly past his prime.
RUAN NORTJE
Nortje featured prominently in 2025 as he stepped up in the absence of the injured Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert.
However, even when both men were fit, Rassie Erasmus opted to select Nortje at number five.
With both De Jager (33) and Mostert (35) entering the latter stages of their Test careers, Nortje is set to play an instrumental role for the Springboks in the future.
Nortje, still only 27, will be in the prime of his career come the next Rugby World Cup in 2027.
He’s widely expected to hold the fort in the coveted number five jersey once worn by the legendary Victor Matfield for many years to come.
Who else can the Springboks build a team around for the future?
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