Will these two uncapped stars be the first to make 2026 Test debut?
· The South African
The Springboks head towards a new Test season with an expanded squad of 46 players, and of that group, six rising stars will be hoping a Test debut could be on the cards in the near future.
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Paul de Villiers (flanker), Riley Norton (lock/loose forward), Ruben van Heerden (lock) and Carlu Sadie (prop) are the four uncapped forwards, while Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), and Jaco Williams (wing) are the two new backs in a largely experienced squad.
It’s an incredibly talented group, but two players in particular look to be in the pound seat to make a Springbok debut possibly as soon as next Saturday against England.
Springbok ‘newcomers’ poised for debut
Riley Norton
Norton’s meteoric rise is underscored by Rassie Erasmus’s decision to withdraw him from the South Africa U20 squad on the eve of the World Rugby U20 Championship just to keep him in the senior Bok camp.
The athletic lock validated that immense faith with a colossal performance in the warm-up victory over the Barbarians, where he scored a try, completed all 11 of his tackles, and made his presence felt at the lineouts.
With veteran Franco Mostert picking up an injury in that same match – and Lood de Jager set to miss the Test season opener – and the coaching staff actively looking to build next-generation second-row depth, Norton’s high work rate and natural talents could make him a perfect fit for the ‘bomb squad’ against England’.
Paul de Villiers
Paul de Villiers has enjoyed a breakthrough season at the Stormers, proving his readiness with a physical performance against the Barbarians.
Known initially as a highly efficient, technical breakdown specialist, De Villiers has dramatically evolved his game to showcase the ball-carrying power and relentless defensive grit demanded by the Bok engine room.
With Kwagga Smith sidelined for the remainder of the year, De Villiers looks to be an ideal candidate to claim a spot on the bench for the Ellis Park opener.
Bok squad
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Zachary Porthen (Stormers), Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Bègles), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh).
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers).
Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Ruben van Heerden (Stormers).
Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers (Stormers), Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Evan Roos (Stormers), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Riley Norton (Stormers), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Embrose Papier (Bulls), Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Handre Pollard (Bulls).
Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside and utility backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Jaco Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers).