The Springboks are set to kick off their season soon with a preparatory match against the Barbarians on June 28, followed by the July Test matches versus Italy and Georgia.
With Elrigh Louw sidelined due to injury and Jasper Wiese having missed much of the domestic season because of injury, questions about the depth and options at the No. 8 position were already being raised.
Rising Bulls talent Cameron Hanekom has been performing exceptionally well, and many expected him to compete strongly for more international game time this season. However, there are serious concerns he may have sustained a significant injury during the URC semi-final against the Sharks.
The 21-year-old is confirmed to miss the URC final, and there is worry that he could face a lengthy recovery after exiting the match with what looked like a severe hamstring injury on Saturday.
“He’s undergoing scans now. Naturally, he’s very upset,” Bulls coach Jake White said after the game.
“I reminded his parents in the changeroom to keep in mind he’s only 21. People often forget that when I started coaching, 21-year-old forwards were not typically invited to Bulls training.
“If they were, it was usually so the more experienced players could put them through their paces on a Monday night.
“He’s clearly progressed rapidly because of his talent and is feeling down at the moment, but we must remember he’s still very young.
“There’s plenty of rugby ahead of him in the coming years.”
If Hanekom is ruled out for the Springboks, Wiese will likely have a significant role to fill at No. 8, and it may also create an opportunity for Juarno Augustus.
FULL SPRINGBOK SQUAD:
Forwards: Cameron Hanekom, Wilco Louw, Ruan Nortje, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls), Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Neethling Fouche, Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Renzo du Plessis, Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams (Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie (Bulls), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse (Stormers), Quan Horn, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe (Lions), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT).
SPRINGBOKS’ FIXTURES
28 June: vs Barbarians, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:05.
5 July: vs Italy, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. Kick off: 17:10.
12 July: vs Italy, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha. Kick off: 17:10.
19 July: vs Georgia, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Kick off: 17:10.
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.
8 November: vs France, Paris. Kick off: TBD.
15 November: vs Italy, Turin. Kick off: TBD.
22 November: vs Ireland, Dublin. Kick off: 19:40.
29 November: vs Wales, Cardiff. Kick off: 17:10.
