The Springboks have dominated world rugby since 2019 and show no signs of slowing down with superbly gifted players coming through the Baby Boks structures.
Haashim Pead, Bathobele Hlekani and Cheswill Jooste have stood out.
The talented trio have already gotten a taste of training with the senior Springboks.
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Baby Boks have pace to burn
From this highlights package, it’s clear to see that the Baby Boks love to play expansive rugby and execute their plans at high speeds. Scrumhalf Haashim Pead, in particular, shines like a beacon. With 33-year-old Faf de Klerk and 35-year-old Cobus Reinach unlikely to be in the picture in 2027, Pead can stake a claim to be the nation’s starting scrummie in two years’ time, along with Grant Williams and Morné van den Berg. Blindside flanker Bathobele Hlekani can also go straight to the top.
Springboks fixtures for the rest of 2025
- 16 August: vs Australia, Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Kick off: 17:10.
- 23 August: vs Australia, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:10.
- 6 September: vs New Zealand, Auckland. Kick off: 09:05.
- 13 September: vs New Zealand, Wellington. Kick off: 09:05.
- 27 September: vs Argentina, Kings Park, Durban. Kick off: 17:10.
- 4 October: vs Argentina, London. Kick off: 15:00.
- 1 November: vs Japan, Brighton. Kick off: TBD.
- 8 November: vs France, Paris. Kick off: 22:10.
- 15 November: vs Italy, Turin. Kick off: 14:40
- 22 November: vs Ireland, Dublin. Kick off: 19:40.
- 29 November: vs Wales, Cardiff. Kick off: 17:10.
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Springbok centurions
Percy Montgomery was the first Springbok to reach a century of caps. Overall, his tally of 102 appearances places him seventh in the all-time reckoning. Only Eben Etzebeth, Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana, Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit and Jean de Villiers have more. Active players Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit and skipper Siya Kolisi are the standout candidates to enter the GOAT debate alongside Montgomery, Habana and Matfield. We’ve been spoiled for choice over the years. Willie le Roux is the eighth member of the club after recently bringing up 100 caps against Italy in July.
Which of the baby Boks are ready to step up to the senior Springbok side?
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