With 2025 upon us, Planet Rugby has selected five players who could possibly make their international debuts for the world champions, South Africa, during the year.

After winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups in 2019 and 2023, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has added to the world champions’ depth by selecting 12 Test newbies in 2024.

We expect him to increase the number of Springboks debutants this year and here is a selection of players who we feel have a good chance of making the step up to international level.

JD Schickerling (Stormers)

This was a tough decision as the 29-year-old’s second-row partner Ruben van Heerden is also a player who has impressed for the Stormers in recent seasons but Schickerling gets the nod as his return to the Cape Town-based outfit from Japan has coincided with a much improved lineout effort from the team this season.

With Schickerling in charge of the set-piece, the Stormers now have one of the best operating lineouts in the URC with a 90 per cent success rate.

In the past, Springboks hooker Joseph Dweba has received plenty of criticism for his poor lineout throw-ins but he has improved considerably in that facet of play and has credited Schickerling’s presence in the Stormers’ set-up for that improvement.

Schickerling’s prowess at the lineouts makes him one of the first names on the Stormers team-sheet as he has been in their starting line-up for all of their United Rugby Championship matches this season. He shifts between the number four and five positions which makes him a real asset for the Stormers, and his utility value could also come in handy for the Springboks in 2025.

Ethan Hooker (Sharks)

Speaking of utility value, in Hooker the Sharks have a player who is equally adept at playing centre or wing and he has delivered several outstanding performances for the Durban-based outfit in either midfield position or out wide this season.

When at full strength, the Sharks can field as many as 12 or 13 Springboks in their starting line-up and it’s an indication of how highly Hooker is rated by head coach John Plumtree as he usually is among the two or three uncapped players in the run-on side.

While his preferred position has always been inside centre, Hooker has also shone in the number 13 jersey but, with Springboks duo Andre Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am being the first choice players for those respective positions – and fellow youngster Jurenzo Julius also in the mix at outside centre – Hooker has also focused on playing on the wing where he is yet to disappoint for the Sharks.

The 21-year-old possesses a high work-rate and excellent physicality on attack and defence, qualities which will come in handy if he is called up to the Springboks set-up which could become a reality in 2025.

David Kriel (Bulls)

Another backline player who possesses utility value, the 25-year-old has made his mark mostly at inside centre for the Bulls in recent seasons but is also capable of slotting in at outside centre or at full-back.

Kriel’s value for Jake White’s side was on display primarily in the number 12 jersey during their run to the 2023/24 URC final – which they eventually lost to Glasgow Warriors – and his creativity in midfield created numerous try-scoring opportunities for outside backs like Springboks flyers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie.

Apart from his attacking abilities, Kriel is solid on defence while he also possesses an excellent kicking game – out of hand and at goal – all qualities which could put him in the conversation when it comes to Springboks selection.

Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets)

The former Cheetahs hooker joined Welsh region the Scarlets ahead of the 2024/25 season after catching the eye with several outstanding performances for the Bloemfontein-based outfit in the European Challenge Cup and Currie Cup competitions.

Van der Merwe‘s impressive form for the Cheetahs was rewarded early in 2024 when Erasmus included him in a 43-man squad for a two-day alignment camp in Cape Town.

Being on the Boks’ radar will stand him in good stead if he wants to make the step up to international rugby. The 27-year-old has continued his fine form at the Scarlets and he was rewarded with the official man-of-the-match award in their URC Round Nine 32-15 bonus-point victory over the Dragons on Wednesday.

His abrasive ball carrying makes him a handful for opposing defences but he also shines in the execution of his core duties. With the Boks’ leading hookers Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx advancing in age, selecting Van der Merwe at Test level makes perfect sense ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints)

The second of our abrasive overseas-based ball carriers, Augustus thrives on physicality and was one of Northampton Saints’ stars during their victorious 2024/25 Premiership campaign as his attacking skills gave them valuable momentum throughout the season.

The Springboks have incredible back-row depth which makes it difficult for players outside their core group to break into Erasmus’ squad and Augustus, who is set to leave his Premiership club for URC outfit Ulster at the end of the season, falls into that category.

However, the 27-year-old is highly rated in the northern hemisphere and was recently one of several South Africans included in the Telegraph’s list of the best 30 players who are currently attached to a domestic team in Britain.

The 2017 World Rugby Junior Player of the Year has said in the past that it remains a dream of his to represent the Springboks. Despite his pending move to Ulster, Augustus is still a regular in Northampton’s run-on side and, if he continues his current impressive form, his dream could become a reality later this year.