The players Jean de Villiers rates in the Springboks' 'problem' position

Following the conclusion of the Springboks’ alignment camps ahead of the 2025 season, which kicks off with a historic home clash with the Barbarians, Boks Office regulars and former internationals, Hanyani ‘Shimmy’ Shimange, Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger have been running the rule over the group of 54 players.

One area of focus in the hour-long show, which also touches upon what makes the French so good in the Champions Cup and the success of Johann van Graan at EPCR Challenge Cup winners Bath, was the hooker position.

Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx have dominated the number two jersey for years, but one is 34 and the other turns 31 in July. Replacing players with 77 and 76 caps between them, respectively, will be no easy task, but Rassie Erasmus knows he can’t rely on the tried-and-tested world-class performers forever.

Not being invited to the alignment camp does not mean that a player won’t play for the Springboks this year, but Johan Grobbelaar, who toured at the end of last year, will be troubled by his omission. Exeter-bound Joseph Dweba has been overlooked, too.

This has opened the door for the uncapped 28-year-old Scarlets hooker, Marnus van der Merwe, to stake a claim. Van der Merwe shares similar jackaling qualities with Marx and has made a big impact in the URC, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 24, offers the versatility of being able to play hooker or loosehead.

“Marnus van der Merwe, he’s a good player,” De Villiers said in the latest episode of Boks Office, out now on RugbyPass TV.

“I think that’s one position where there might be some question marks. You’ve got Malcolm Marx, I think Bongi looked tired at times, so there’ll be pressure on Bongi now. And Jan-Hendriks Wessels, I think should have a go at hooker now.”

Burger flagged Wessels as last year’s surprise pick in the alignment camp, while this year he reckons that tag goes to Juarno Augustus, the uncapped former Junior Springbok No.8, who has spent the last five seasons at Northampton in the English Premiership and is joining Ulster in Ireland in the summer.

Burger chipped in: “We have subsequently come to know Rassie was on to something special with his (Wessels) current form for the Bulls, whether he plays at loosehead or hooker.

“I think Trokkie (Truck) is quite a big call, for a guy who left South Africa a long time ago. He has obviously been dominant in the Prem, and is now moving teams and going to the URC, to Ulster.”

Episode 42 of Boks Office is available to watch here>>