The Springboks will kick off the season with a ‘warm up’ game against the Barbarians towards the end of next month, before heading into three July internationals that will signal the start of a blockbuster 2026 schedule.
It won’t be long before Rassie Erasmus reveals his first ‘Test squad’, and when considering what this could look like, we assess who are the top two players in every position.
In part one of this series, we start with the backline.
Springboks’ pecking order among numerous talented backs
Fullback
- No 1: Damian Willemse – Although the Stormers have been playing him on the wing at times, this has been due to unforeseen circumstances, and there is little doubt he remains the leading contender to start the Springboks’ season in the No 15 jersey.
- No 2: Aphelele Fassi: Due to an unfortunate injury, Fassi has missed a large part of the domestic season with the Sharks. Once he has rediscovered his fitness and form, he will fiercely compete for the starting berth at fullback again.
Right wing
- No 1: Cheslin Kolbe – There is no doubt in the slightest that Kolbe remains the first-choice right wing for the foreseeable future.
- No 2: Edwill van der Merwe – The 30-year-old has never let the Springboks down whenever he has received an opportunity, and there should be more game-time waiting in the wings for the 30-year-old this season.
Outside centre
- No 1: Jesse Kriel – The veteran centre is facing fierce competition for the No 13 jersey, but the muscular midfielder should still be seen as the first-choice option.
- No 2: Canan Moodie – The 23-year-old boasts sought-after utility value, and he is the perfect man to provide an alternative option at outside centre. Expect Moodie to start plenty of games as there is very little to choose between him and Kriel.
Inside centre
- No 1: Damian de Allende – With 97 Test caps to his name, the often underrated inside centre has become an almost immovable force at inside centre.
- No 2: Andre Esterhuizen – The powerful centre would start for most international teams, but his emergence as the Springboks’ hybrid star has made him such a destructive weapon in the ‘bomb squad’.
Left wing
- No 1: Kurt-Lee Arendse – Another obvious choice. Arendse completes the double act with Kolbe on the wing, and there is little to suggest he will give up the No 11 jersey any time soon.
- No 2: Ethan Hooker – Capable of slotting in on the wing or at centre, Hooker is a wonderful resource for the Springboks, although he is currently recovering from an unfortunate injury.
Flyhalf
- No 1: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu – Perhaps not as clear cut as it once was, but our feeling is that the 24-year-old will still be primarily deployed as the first-choice 10 in the lead up to the World Cup.
- No 2: Handre Pollard – Take your pick between Pollard and Manie Libbok, who are likely to rotate regularly with Feinberg-Mngomezulu. However, it is the goal-kicking prowess of Pollard that gives him an extra edge.
Scrumhalf
- No 1: Grant Williams – This is one position where there really isn’t a clear cut first choice as the Springboks love to rotate at scrumhalf. With Cobus Reinach sidelined with an injury, it’s likely that Williams will start the season in the No 9 jersey.
- No 2: Cobus Reinach – The good news is that Reinach is expected to recover from injury in time to start the Springbok season, but it’s likely that he will be reintegrated carefully.
