Springboks newcomers most likely to debut after alignment camp

The Springboks are set to gather for a two-day alignment camp on 5 and 6 March, with as many as 16 uncapped forming part of a large 43-man squad.

South Africa will start their Test season against Wales in June before two Tests against Ireland and then a one-off clash against Portugal.

Realistically, it’s the game against Portugal when some ‘newcomers’ – who impress at the alignment camp and on the domestic scene – might receive their first Springbok cap.

With this in mind, these are the players who we think would have the most to gain at the alignment camp.

Sanele Nohamba

It’s already been reported that the first Test of the year against Wales could be the occasion when Sanele Nohamba is brought into the mix at flyhalf, most specifically if Stormers stars Manie Libbok and Damian Willemse are unavailable for the Test match if the Stormers progress to the URC final. Notably, Leicester Tigers would also not be obligated to release Handre Pollard for the match in June.

Even if the Springboks end up having all of these players available, though, the alignment camp will still really present a huge opportunity for Nohamba to prove that his diminutive size should not exclude him from Test consideration, especially as he boasts the versatility to also play at scrumhalf.

Cameron Hanekom 

With Duane Vermeulen having retired and Evan Roos perhaps slipping down the pecking order, there is a great opportunity for Bulls loose forward Cameron Hanekom to make a massive impression.

The youngster just seems to have all the raw potential that could appeal to a coach like Rassie Erasmus, who has never been afraid to back ‘warriors’ who he feels he can mould into future Springboks.

Neethling Fouche

The powerhouse Stormers prop should also be set for a Test debut this year considering that the Springbok do need to start building some further depth at prop.

Fouche is now 31 years old, and truly earned his stripes as a veteran front rower who has soaked up plenty of knowledge from someone like Frans Malherbe.

NEWCOMERS IN THE SPRINGBOKS’ ALIGNMENT CAMP

UNCAPPED PLAYERS INVITED:

THE FULL 43-PLAYER ALIGNMENT CAMP SQUAD

Forwards: Eben Etzebeth, Neethling Fouche*, Johan Grobbelaar*, Celimpilo Gumede*, Cameron Hanekom*, Andre-Hugo Venter*, Vincent Koch, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Salmaan Moerat, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Evan Roos, Kwagga Smith, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marnus van der Merwe*, Ruben van Heerden*, Marco van Staden, Ruan Venter*, Jan-Hendrik Wessels*

Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Faf de Klerk, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu*, Suleiman Hartzenberg*, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse*, Quan Horn*, Herschel Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Sanele Nohamba*, Morne van den Berg*, Henco van Wyk*, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse

* Denotes uncapped players