Erasmus lauds Hanekom, but pumps the brakes on hype

· The South African

Cameron Hanekom delivered his most well-rounded performance in a Springbok jersey during Saturday’s 17-10 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires.

The young loose forward scored a crucial late try, made 13 carries – the third most of any player on the pitch – and was effective at the breakdown throughout.
When asked if the performance had “opened up” the number eight position, coach Rassie Erasmus shut that idea down firmly. It was telling on multiple levels.

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Hanekom’s display was not flawless. He conceded a penalty in the opening stages for a high tackle, handing Argentina the first points of the game off the boot of Santiago Carreras via a penalty. He was pinged for a second infringement at the start of the second half. Those moments could’ve easily proved cost for the Springboks in a Test they won by a mere seven points.

However, the positives were considerable. He worked tirelessly in defence, completing tackles with composure throughout a bruising contest against a physically charged Los Pumas side. His carrying provided consistent go-forward and his breakdown presence was a genuine asset. And then the match-winning try he scored in the 63rd minute.

That is, by all metrics, a significant improvement on his most recent outing against England in July. Against Argentina, a team that had beaten the Springboks in Buenos Aires as recently as 2024, the Bulls power-man stepped up when it mattered.

Hanekom’s performance as a selection headache for Erasmus at number eight. The coach was having none of it.

“It didn’t open up,” Erasmus said flatly, before placing Hanekon’s contribution in context. “Jasper Wiese is our clear number one at eight.

“Cameron has now played really well against an Argentinian team that knocked us over a few times, so we’re lucky to have another option there.”

He also name-dropped Elrigh Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Paul de Villiers, Siya Kolisi, André Esterhuizen and Marco van Staden as potential eighth-man options.

That is a long list which reflects both the Springboks’ extraordinary – and unrivalled – squad depth and the reality that Hanekom, for all his promise, is working his way up an established pecking order rather than jumping it.

“He’s starting to settle in nicely in the team,” Erasmus added said. “He’s starting to be calm and understanding what we’re trying to do. I think he’s getting better every day.”

For a young loose forward still establishing himself in one of world rugby’s deepest squads, “getting better every day” in the coach’s eyes is exactly the trajectory required ahead of the biggest Test series in South African rugby since the Springboks’ 2023 World Cup run; and also a year out from the next RWC.

WATCH: RASSIE ON SPRINGBOKS’ NO 8 PECKING ORDER

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