Cameron Hanekom's impressive performances for the Bulls have put him in contention for the Springbok No 8 jersey. His breakdown skills, ball-carrying prowess, and speed make him a formidable contender against players like Evan Roos and Jasper Wiese.
Bulls No 8 Cameron Hanekom has established himself as a formidable ball-carrier, equally adept at engaging the larger forwards in close-quarters combat and outrunning the quickest wingers. A compelling video on the United Rugby Championship's YouTube channel, posted on October 18 last year, showcases Hanekom's exceptional talents. This nearly six-minute montage would undoubtedly excite any Bulls supporter.
While the 22-year-old Hanekom has garnered recognition for his powerful runs, a particularly noteworthy moment in the highlights reel is his precise breakdown steal. He flawlessly timed his tackle, followed by a swift maneuver to secure the ball on the ground. This willingness to delve into the 'dark spaces' of the game distinguishes him from numerous other talented loose forwards in South Africa and paved the way for his long-awaited Springbok debut against Wales in Cardiff last November.Originating from Ceres in the Western Cape and having attended Paarl Boys’ High, Hanekom is undoubtedly a player the Stormers regret missing out on. The Bulls, however, are reaping the rewards of their investment in him, and he has continued to shine in recent months. The highly anticipated clash between the Bulls and the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium next Saturday (2pm kick-off) presents Hanekom with an opportunity to face one of his primary rivals for a Springbok jersey, Evan Roos. The Stormers star has also faced his share of injuries and is now striving to regain his position in the Bok selection. But even before these two young rugby superstars collide next weekend, hasn't Hanekom already made a compelling case to seriously contend for the Springbok No 8 jersey?Coach Rassie Erasmus currently favors Jasper Wiese, who has consistently delivered impressive performances over the past few seasons. His standout moment was undoubtedly his eight-minute second-half cameo in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final against the All Blacks, particularly his ability to gather the ball from a chaotic scrum just outside the Bok 22 and take a few Kiwi players to the ground to seal the victory. However, Wiese's limitations in certain areas, notably his handling and lack of pace, are well-known. These are areas where Hanekom excels. Furthermore, Wiese may not be as sharp as he was previously when he rejoins the national team, as he now plays his club rugby in Japan for Urayasu D-Rocks after departing English giants Leicester Tigers. Bulls star Hanekom can introduce a completely different dimension to the Bok loose trio. He appears to be a blend of Duane Vermeulen and Pierre Spies of yesteryear - rugged and tough, yet also possessing impressive speed across the ground. With South Africa aiming to further enhance their attacking style under Tony Brown's guidance this year, the July Tests against Italy and Georgia present Erasmus with an ideal opportunity to hand Hanekom the No 8 jersey. If he successfully navigates those matches with his reputation further solidified, why couldn't he start in the crucial Rugby Championship Tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand? Having already outshined Lions No 8 Francke Horn last week, Hanekom will be eager to continue his upward trajectory against Roos next weekend and ensure that Erasmus can no longer overlook his claims
Cameron Hanekom Springboks Rugby Championship Evan Roos Jasper Wiese Bulls Stormers Breakdown Ball-Carrying Speed
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