Preparations for the international season continue as we once again review the performances of several South African players who will be hoping to see their names called for the upcoming series against Ireland.
This week we take a look at their performances in the United Rugby Championship and Gallagher Premiership to see who caught the eye of Rassie Erasmus.
This week's list includes players who are not only looking to earn a call-up, but also want more time in the green and gold jersey, as well as some updates on their general form and fitness.
thomas du toit
He can't stop scoring. Props isn't usually a player known for scoring double-digit tries throughout the season, but Thomas du Toit reached that milestone this weekend, scoring his sixth try in the Premiership and scoring Investec. -Scored 4 tries in the championship.
Du Toit has been in great form for Bath since joining from the Sharks, and after narrowly missing out on a place in the Rugby World Cup squad last year, he will be desperate to cement his place in the side in the next cycle. He is working hard and achieving good results. He expressed it with his fists through his club form.
He continues his trend of switching between loosehead and tighthead, making another strong shift off the bench at loosehead in Bath's narrow loss to Saracens last week.
Siya Mask
A player who hasn't been talked about much within the Springboks, but Siya Mask, who led the Sharks to a 27-32 victory, won the Player of the Match award for the third year in a row, so it's probably a hot topic. He's probably a player on the rise. Scarlet.
The Springboks are likely to need a new No. 10 for their game against Wales at Twickenham, so the Sharks pivot is unlikely to get one, especially after performances like this weekend's. It wouldn't be impossible.
He earned two try assists and scored 12 points off the tee, but missed just one shot on the night, leading the Sharks to a hard-fought victory. The matchup against Clermont will be a big litmus test for him, but he hasn't looked back since earning his start with the Sharks.
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Yes, these are two separate assists. pic.twitter.com/zziedoZfNV
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Rassie Erasmus gives Springbok outcast another chance after two years in exile
Neethling Fouche
Stormer is seriously on the list to make his Springbok debut and on Saturday he picked up another Man of the Match award.
Neethling Fouche has gone from strength to strength since taking part in the Springboks' first alignment camp and once again showed off his strong scrum attack in his 60th-minute substitution.
France Malherbe picked up where they left off in the final 20 minutes, but Fouche had by then done enough to earn him the individual award at full time.
Fouche, 31, is perhaps not the ideal age profile tighthead prop that Erasmus wants for the next World Cup, but his current form is undeniable.
Andre Esterhuizen
Sharks fans will lick their tongues at the prospect of Andre Osterhuizen wearing the black jersey and smashing through defenders next season, as he did against Northampton Saints at Twickenham. Harlequins went into the match against the Premiership leaders at a disadvantage, but the center played a key role in the win, keeping their play-off hopes alive with an impressive 41-32 win.
Esterhuizen gained more meters than any other player (93 meters) while beating 3 defenders and completing 10 passes from 15 career players. Damian de Allende is likely to remain Erasmus' first-choice starting No. 12 this year, but Esterhuizen is knocking on the door.
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Warwick Geraint
That offroad! It was a highlight of the Stormers' full-back's performance, as the Stormers overcame the Leinster defense with a 42-12 win, but overall it was a solid performance from the 28-year-old.
There will be plenty of competition for positions in the Springboks' back three, but he put his right foot forward and put in a balanced performance on Saturday, but having been too one-shot so far, he now backs it up. would need to.
🔥 Warwick Geraint, stop it!
DHL's outrageous dummy Momomomo Flyer 😮💨@vodacom | #URC | #Race to the Eight | #STOvLEI pic.twitter.com/6N1lBhSOqV
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) April 27, 2024
Herschel Jantjies
Speaking of further performances, Herschel Jantjes shone against Leinster as the Cape Town faithful sprinted through gaps in the defense and dived under the posts to score a try we've seen many times before.
The No. 9, who won the Rugby World Cup in 2019, was overlooked for 2023 due to a lack of form, but our selection committee clearly backed him and he has done well this year and is on track to do well. I would like to be able to leave behind.
Apart from the tries, he maintained the Stormers' attacking tempo and put together a tidy 70-minute shift to work with Manny Livbok to guide Capetoian around the park.
ruben van heerden
Capetoian and lock Ruben van Heerden played a strong 71-minute shift against Leinster, leading the game in tackles (14) and gaining 38 meters on five carries. .
A relentless workhorse, Van Heerden also ran the lineout well, completing six passes to go along with all the ruck and maul work.
He also attended the Springboks' first training camp and is certain to make his debut soon, despite the talent bottleneck in the team's second row.
david kriel
It's nothing new for David Kriel, who has had a great season, but the Bulls utility back put in a world-class performance as Jake White's charge threatened the Ospreys. The number 13 was named URC's Player of the Round after being involved in four tries, scoring one goal and providing three assists.
This is the kind of performance that will fulfill his international ambitions in a positive way, especially as the Springboks selectors favor players who have shown versatility, and he has demonstrated that ability to the fullest. , wearing World Cup uniforms numbered 15, 14, 13 and 12. Bulls this season.
Assist King was cooking yesterday👨🍳
Nice off-road to David Kriel. 🤤pic.twitter.com/v5kgXanzUK
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) April 28, 2024
Bulls vs Ospreys: David Kriel gives 5 points for Springboks qualification, Loftus falling just short of Toby Booth's men
Ellie Rowe
There is no shortage of options available to our selectors in the back row positions, but Elli Rowe makes it incredibly difficult not to select him.
Although he has thrived in the No. 8 shirt, he has been far more impactful in his role as a blindside flanker, and he did so against the Ospreys by racking up impressive numbers on both sides of the ball. has been proven. He covered over 80 meters on 10 carries, made 13 tackles and, as always, was a solid lineout option.
He is incredibly effective in the center of the pitch, but he was also seen playing off his legs against the Ospreys, with Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit impressing in that role for the Boks.
willie le roux
After winning back-to-back World Cups, many thought Willie le Roux would receive his final few wages at the Bulls, but Erasmus has yet to remove his name from the Box's salary system. Dew.
The veteran full-back was once again in command as he linked up brilliantly with Chris Smith to lead the Bulls to a comprehensive victory, and he has also done the same with Johan Goossen recently.
Although he didn't have an assist this week, he showed some great attacking performance, including an intercept try and a great offload that led to Embrose Papier's try.
wilco law
As Wilco Rowe continues his bid for his 14th Test cap, another fractious prop has made some powerful statements this season. It's no secret that the Springboks highly value the prop's ability at set-pieces, and he will play against arguably Wales' best scrummaging looseheads, Gareth Thomas and Nicky Smith, in a big-money move. exceeded both.
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Emile Van Helden
Emil, the son of former Springbok forward Fritz van Heerden, plays in the Springboks' second row alongside Eben Ezebeth and was in excellent form against the Scarlets this weekend.
The 23-year-old is definitely one to keep an eye on, having racked up 17 tackles and eight carries against Wales.
Jacques Vermeulen
The strong back-rower was Exeter Chiefs' number seven jumper on Sunday and was named Player of the Match after scoring twice in Exeter Chiefs' 38-17 win over Gloucester at Kingsholm. He showed an outstanding performance that earned him selection.
Vermeulen was a strong attacker from close range, forcing his way through from close range on both occasions while also winning turnovers, making 11 tackles and 10 48m carries.
Jean-Luc du Preez
Finally, from the Premiership, Jean-Luc du Preez gave Sale Sharks another exciting shift in a nervy win over Newcastle Falcons. He had 18 tackles and 10 carries to earn Sale's No. 8 jumper.
As mentioned above, versatility is a big bonus for our coach and his ability to play as number 4, 7 and 8 makes him one of the more popular players in the team after joining the team several times without a cap. There is a possibility that he will gain regular status.
jesse kriel
The 2023 Rugby World Cup hero made his comeback from the bench in Japan two weeks ago, but made his first start against Pieter-Steph du Toit's Toyota Verblitz in Japan Rugby League 1.
Kriel managed to get through an 80-minute shift, producing some of his trademark try-saving tackles while remaining aggressive and ferocious in every contact.
quiz: Can you name the Springboks who won the 1995 Rugby World Cup?