Springboks: Rassie Erasmus be careful not to ‘box’ Cameron Hanekom: Planet Rugby

On November 20, 2024By Pranco

Rassie Erasmus admits he is wary of ‘boxing’ Cameron Hanekom ahead of his potential debut for the Springboks against Wales.

Hanekom, who also qualified for Wales, becomes the 52nd player Erasmus has used in the Springboks line-up this year after being named on the bench for the Test in Cardiff.

The call comes due to the Bulls’ consistent form over the past two seasons and although Hanekom initially missed out on victory Springboks He was called up to the selection as a replacement for the injured Damian Willemse.

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Versatile

Erasmushimself a former back-row, sees Hanekom as a seven or a number eight, but the experienced coach refuses to limit the young Bull’s options.

“In my days as a player we were just a number 6 or 7, not open or blindside. I believe in it,” said Erasmus.

“The only difference was whether a man can jump into the lineouts or not. Siya (Kolisi) is not a lineout jumper, but Cameron is. Therefore, he is good in the South African sense of a No. 7 flanker. He is also a very good eighth man… athletic, fast and all over the field.

“Duane (Vermeulen) has run people over; Cameron can get around, he can release tacklers and sometimes run over them. I don’t think we can put him in a box and say he’s exclusively a number 7. I think he can also be a very good eighth man, but I don’t see him as a number 6.”

Open play is key

Erasmus believes Hanekom will find his feet quickest in open play and allow the back row to make some mistakes early in his Test career.

“For someone like Cameron, and anyone who comes into the team, I think the things that happen most in a match are the running, the rucks – there are probably 140 in a game – and about 14 lineouts and eight scrums, ” said Erasmus. “We really want him to concentrate on his overall game.

“If he makes a mistake here and there at a lineout or in defense, those things happen in your first five tests. But in general play you usually do well. If he does what he always does, he will be fine.”

The Wales Test will cap a solid year for the world champions, where they have lost just two matches, against Ireland and Argentina.