Francke Horn continues to be the heartbeat of the Lions' pack. Whether it’s dominant carries or tireless defensive shifts, the No. 8 is proving that he belongs on the biggest stage. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
COMMENT
If the Springboks were to play a Test match this Saturday, the matchday 23 would look significantly different from Rassie Erasmus’s first-choice squad that ended 2025 with statement defeats of France and Ireland.
This is less because of form and more about the natural attrition you can expect from the only rugby country in the world where the top players play all year round, with zero off-season. And that is because South Africa is the only rugby country with a foot in each hemisphere — the United Rugby Championship (URC) in the north and the Rugby Championship in the south.
Looking at the team that played those big games the last time the Boks were in action, the following would not be at Rassie’s disposal this week: Cobus Reinach, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth (suspension), RG Snyman, and Wilco Louw.
This is why the Springbok coach continually grows his depth because even without that raft of quality players, a Bok side playing this weekend would still have a familiar look.
It is just the second row that currently looks vulnerable, especially when there are back-up locks also injured, such as Salmaan Moerat. On the positive side, a fit and rested Etzebeth begins his comeback from a three-month suspension this weekend when the Sharks travel to Connacht for a Challenge Cup match.
When picking a form team, we have to bear in mind that Rassie and his assistants get footage of the Japanese leagues that few other South Africans see, so we have to take their educated word on the form of the big proportion of Springboks resident in the Land of the Rising Sun.
For instance, on URC form, the best inside centre is Andre Esterhuizen, but Rassie knows what he has in Damian de Allende and is likely to continue with him, and use Andre the Giant as a hybrid/impact player.
Similarly, Esterhuizen’s partner at the Sharks, Ethan Hooker, has been superb, but will he be preferred to Jesse Kriel?
Cheslin Kolbe is another Japan-based player who picks himself on reputation (and the game stats Rasie will see) despite many local wings excelling in the URC. On that point, it is a pity that Bulls flyer Sebastian de Klerk has suffered a serious foot injury — he was pushing his teammate Kurt-lee Arendse hard.
Fullback and No 8 are other positions where the Boks are a bit thin at the moment. Even the loose forward stock is not as overflowing as usual because of the injuries to Kolisi (calf) and Du Toit (knee), and the limited game time Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw have had as they return from the long periods on the sidelines.
At No 8, I would like to see Francke Horn get a shot at some point, but we know that the reliable workhorse Jasper Wiese has that one sewn up for now — he was excellent when he came back from his suspension last year.
Other to consider: Gerhard Steenekamp, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Andre-Hugo Venter, Johan Grobbelaar, Ruan Venter, Francke Horn, Evan Roos, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard, Morne van den Berg, Canan Moodie, Quan Horn