Springbok wing Ethan Hooker speaks on factors fueling his rapid rise in Test Rugby as he wants more after standout 2025

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CARDIFF, WALES - NOVEMBER 29: Ethan Hooker of South Africa offloads as he is tackled by Rio Dyer of Wales during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 rugby international match between Wales and South Africa at Principality Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Springbok wing Ethan Hooker says his rapid rise in Test rugby has been fuelled by several factors. MORNÉ ESBEN reports.

Hooker dotted down in the Boks’ 73-0 demolition of Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, capping a glittering season that includes a World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year nomination.

But the 22-year-old insists the recognition belongs as much to the team as it does to him.

“I wasn’t expecting it at all to be honest,” he said. “Very privileged, very honoured to have been nominated, but I think a lot more goes on behind the scenes to getting me to that nomination.

“I think the team’s obviously performing and the coaches put me on the field, so I’m just really blessed in this situation.”

The Springboks dominated this year’s award season, with Malcolm Marx named World Player of the Year and teammates Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ox Nche nominated for the award, while they supplied six players to the World Rugby dream Team.

Hooker says that level of recognition reflects the standards inside the Bok camp.

“I think it speaks a lot of the team, how we’ve worked and how focused the team is. Those guys deserve it, through and through, they’re awesome human beings and even better rugby players. Congrats to them and they should just keep doing what they’re doing.”

Surrounded by veterans such as Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse this season, Hooker says every training session is an education.

“It’s quite hard to explain. I think you actually need to be on the pitch to see it. They’ve taught me many things – skill-set wise, off-the-ball wise. They’re just great human beings and they want to help us learn, in fact it’s been a theme across the Bok camp. It’s going to carry on going and I just love being part of this team.”

Hooker counts this year’s Rugby Championship triumph among his standout moments.

“Winning my first Rugby Championship with this team is really special. It was a goal for us from the beginning of the season and I think we did well to pull it through. Out of this whole year, that stuck with me.”

And as he looks ahead, the young try-scorer says the possibilities feel limitless.

“Just seeing what’s out there in the world and what you can become as a rugby player, it’s like there’s no roof almost. I just want to be the best rugby player that I possibly can.”