With Wessels out, Erasmus must look to next generation of Boks

The Springboks will have plenty of options at their disposal to replace Jan-Hendrik Wessels after the utility front-rower received a lengthy suspension on Thursday.

With confirmation of his nine-week ban for grabbing a Connacht player in the genital area during the Bulls’ 28-27 win in Galway confirmed, head coach Rassie Erasmus should have several players ready to step into the Bok touring squad. The Bulls are expected to appeal the sanction laid down by the United Rugby Championship (URC).

Unlike the suspension of Sharks winger Makazole Mapimpi — who was on standby for the national side — Wessels’ sanction will likely force Erasmus to select another hooker. The Boks are relatively well covered at loosehead with the return to fitness of Gerhard Steenekamp, while Thomas du Toit is able to scrum on both sides.

Veteran hooker Bongi Mbonambi is among the standby players waiting to join the squad overseas after not making the initial cut. However, it may be time for Erasmus to give opportunities to some of the younger, less experienced hookers as back-up to Malcolm Marx and Johan Grobbelaar.

After missing the mid-year Tests and Rugby Championship, Grobbelaar has forced his way back into the national fold and should be ready to step up with Wessels’ suspension. Two other Bok greenhorns under Erasmus could also come into contention if Mbonambi remains on standby.

Following solid performances in the Rugby Championship against Australia in Cape Town and the All Blacks in Wellington, Marnus van der Merwe missed out on the year-end squad after Grobbelaar’s recall and was not placed on standby. However, as a Welsh-based Bok, he could be next in line.

The Scarlets may be struggling in the URC, but if the Boks want to give the fiery hooker more exposure in green and gold, this tour presents the perfect opportunity. He knows the northern conditions well and could step up against the likes of Italy and Wales if called upon.

Another contender is André-Hugo Venter, who has not featured for the Boks since making his debut in 2024. The Stormers hooker has started the new URC season strongly and remains a promising option as South Africa look to build depth at hooker beyond the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

With Mbonambi nearing the twilight of his career, the Springboks must prioritise succession planning ahead of 2027 by blooding younger hookers on the year-end tour to ensure depth, continuity, and a smooth generational transition.