SPRINGBOK WATCH | Who’s rising and who’s falling ahead of the November tour

As anticipation builds ahead of Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus naming his touring squad for the November Tests in Europe, we take a look at five United Rugby Championship (URC) players hoping to make the cut.

A few familiar names have made strong cases for a Springbok recall ahead of the year-end tour. But while some players are surging, others may find themselves stuck on the fringes due to their teams’ struggles.

Here are the standout contenders — and the ones who might just miss the cut.

Evan Roos – Back to his bulldozing best

The Stormers No 8 looks every bit the player who once stormed into Bok contention at a young age.

Roos has rediscovered his trademark power game — busting over the gainline, breaking tackles, and working tirelessly on defence. What’s stood out this season is his maturity: he’s making smarter decisions with ball in hand and has improved his breakdown work, an area the Bok selectors have previously flagged.

If he maintains this form, he could easily slot back into the Bok loose trio mix, especially with the team still seeking a settled backup for Jasper Wiese.

Vincent Tshituka – The dynamic workhorse

Despite being in a winless Sharks side, Tshituka has been immense — particularly on the overseas leg of the URC campaign.

His athleticism, physicality, and tireless work rate are standout traits in a team that’s struggling. After making his debut earlier this season, he looks hungry to wear the green and gold again. Tshituka’s versatility — being able to play both blindside and openside flank, as well as lock — adds extra value for the Boks.

If selectors reward individual form over team results, Tshituka deserves serious consideration.

Johan Grobbelaar – Hooking his way back to the top

The Bulls hooker has quietly put together a string of impressive performances, combining accurate lineout throwing with strong scrummaging and a high work rate in the loose.

Competition at hooker — especially from his own teammate Jan-Hendrik Wessels at Loftus Versfeld — makes it tough for him to break through. Still, he’s kept his head down and delivered consistently strong URC performances, excelling in the middle of the scrum and behind a powerful driving maul

With Bongi Mbonambi nearing the twilight of his international career and Wessels and André-Hugo Venter still learning as youngsters, Grobbelaar’s consistency could earn him a ticket to the northern hemisphere.

Quan Horn – A victim of the Lions’ inconsistency

Horn remains one of the most promising fullbacks in South Africa, but his chances of a Bok call-up are fading — not because of his individual efforts, but due to the Lions’ overall struggles.

His attacking spark, counter-attack instincts, security under the high ball, and booming left boot are all Bok-quality attributes.

However, the team’s lack of cohesion has made it difficult for him to shine at a Test-level standard this season. Until the Lions start winning regularly, Horn may continue to be viewed as a prospect rather than a current Bok option.

That said, with Aphelele Fassi injured, the door remains open for Horn to sneak back into the Springbok picture.

Ruan Venter – Huge potential but still raw

Venter’s physicality and aggression have drawn comparisons to Bok legend Pieter-Steph du Toit, but at just 22, he’s still learning the finer points of top-level rugby.

His discipline and decision-making can let him down, and like Horn, he’s been hampered by the Lions’ inconsistency. He’s also had a few injury setbacks and hasn’t featured for the Boks since making his debut in 2024.

Venter is slowly rebuilding the form he once showed, but the Bok coaches might prefer to let him mature further in the URC before exposing him again to the intensity of the Test arena.