With South Africa beginning the defence of their Tri-Nations title this weekend, JOE picked out three emerging Springboks who could have a big part to play.
Like New Zealand, South Africa underlined the supremacy of the southern hemisphere in rugby union circles by easily overcoming European opposition in recent test matches. The reigning World champions easily overcame the challenge of Italy, Wales and France and Peter de Villiers had the chance to blood some new faces in the process.
With New Zealand looking formidable, the Springboks will have it tough in their quest to defend both their World Cup and Tri-Nations titles. JOE picked out three emerging players that could have a big impact for the Boks’ in the future.
Gio Aplon
At 27, Aplon could hardly be described as a young colt, but it is only recently, 2010 in fact, that his performances have been rewarded with a call up to the Springbok squad. Fans of the Stormers and the Western Province know all about Aplon’s blistering pace and try-scoring ability and he is known affectionately in South Africa as ‘Kakkerlak’, which means cockroach in Afrikaans, primarily because of the fact that at 5’9, he is small in stature and extremely elusive.
Aplon made his test debut against Wales in June and has since featured twice against Italy and against France, when he scored two tries in a 42-17 victory for the Springboks.
Francois Louw
Like his Stormers team-mate Aplon, Louw was only called into the Springbok squad last month, but his impact has been immediate with the result that he has been named to start in the back row against New Zealand in the Tri-Nations opener. Louw has only four caps to his name, but already has two tries and three man of the match awards to his name as reward for his all-action displays around the park.
Louw, 25, was pivotal during the Stormers’ march to the Super 14 final last season and his abrasive displays in the competition made a serious impression on Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.
Dewald Potgieter
Another dynamic loose forward, Potgieter was immense while captaining the Emerging Springboks to a creditable draw with the Lions last year, which resulted in a call up to the Springbok squad for the tour of the Northern hemisphere last autumn.
Potgieter made his debut for the Boks’ against Ireland in Croke Park last year and has played four tests since, scoring one try in the process. He is a crowd favourite with the Blue Bulls and is renowned for his ferocious commitment and work-rate. Although he won’t feature against the All-Blacks, at 23 he has time on his side and is certainly one for the future.
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