Unbeaten So Far: 10 Things We’ve Learned About the Springboks in 2025

Rethabile Nyelele23 July , 2025

The Springboks have opened their 2025 campaign in dominant fashion. Victories over the Barbarians, Italy (twice), and Georgia have kept their unbeaten run alive. While sterner tests await in the Rugby Championship, the world champions have already revealed much about their form, depth, and experimentation. Here are 10 standout takeaways from their season so far.

1. Incredible Squad Depth

Rassie Erasmus has achieved what most coaches only dream of: building a squad where every position has at least three capable players. Whether it’s choosing between Damian Willemse and Aphelele Fassi at fullback or balancing Jesse Kriel and Canan Moodie at outside centre, the selection headache is very real. Even stars like Edwill van der Merwe are fighting for spots, showing the enviable strength of the national setup.

2. Sacha Still Finding His Feet

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is one of the most talked-about young flyhalves in the country. However, while his flair and attacking instincts are promising, he still shows signs of inexperience, particularly with his decision-making and goal-kicking, as seen in Mbombela. With time and guidance, he could mature into a top Test 10, but he’s not there yet.

3. Williams Stakes His Claim

Grant Williams has emerged as the front-runner in the scrumhalf race. His all-round game, sharp distribution, clever decision-making, and incisive breaks have placed him ahead of the likes of Jaden Hendrikse, Faf de Klerk, and Cobus Reinach. Morne van den Berg has been solid too, but Williams appears to be the man in possession.

4. No. 8 Still a Puzzle

Since Duane Vermeulen’s retirement, Jasper Wiese has worn the No 8 jersey more than most. But inconsistency and now suspension have opened the door for others. Siya Kolisi, Kwagga Smith, and Cobus Wiese have all had a run there, with varying results. Could Evan Roos or Jean-Luc du Preez step up next? It remains one of Erasmus’ few unresolved positions.

5. Etzebeth Faces New Competition

Eben Etzebeth, the country’s most capped Springbok, hasn’t been at his best in recent months. With a host of rising locks in the squad, including RG Snyman, Lood de Jager, Ruan Nortje, and Cobus Wiese, the fight for the No. 4 jersey is heating up. Whether Etzebeth maintains his spot long-term will depend on his form in the Rugby Championship.

6. New Hooker on the Rise

With Bongi Mbonambi entering the twilight of his career, Erasmus gave Marnus van der Merwe a shot during the July Tests, and the debutant didn’t disappoint. After both Joseph Dweba and Andre-Hugo Venter were overlooked, Van der Merwe delivered a complete performance and could soon be Malcolm Marx’s main understudy.

7. Breakdown Needs Attention

Despite winning comfortably, the Boks have shown vulnerability at the breakdown. Italy, in particular, disrupted their flow and exposed some coordination issues among the forwards. Erasmus rotated heavily throughout the June-July period, which may explain the inconsistency, but it’s a department that will need fixing before facing the likes of the All Blacks and Wallabies.

8. Balanced Attack and Defence

In the last four matches, the Boks scored 22 tries, a clear sign that their attack is evolving. When provided with a clean ball, they played with pace and ambition. Just as encouraging, however, was their defence: only four tries conceded across three Tests show the old Bok resolve remains intact.

9. Innovation Continues

Rassie’s flair for tactical surprises is alive and well. From a “fake lineout” formation in midfield to clever short kick-offs, the Springboks have added new dimensions to their game. Then there’s the debut of Andre Esterhuizen as a “hybrid” player, capable of shifting between centre and flank, an intriguing development with World Cup implications.

10. The Big Tests Await

It’s worth noting that the Springboks’ unbeaten start has come against modest opposition. The Barbarians, Italy, and Georgia all offered useful challenges but didn’t truly stretch the world champions. In contrast, their Rugby Championship rivals have already battled top-tier opponents. With so many personnel changes in recent weeks, it remains to be seen whether Erasmus’ squad rotation will pay off when the stakes rise.

Full Speed Ahead, But Tougher Roads Loom

With four wins from four and nearly 50 players trialled, Erasmus has laid a wide foundation ahead of the Rugby Championship. While the Boks look strong across the board, the true test of their 2025 campaign begins now.