Rassie Erasmus Told What He Must Fix Ahead of Springboks’ Wallabies Clash in Perth
- The Springboks leaned heavily on Malcolm Marx throughout the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand, raising long-term concerns
- Rassie Erasmus made a surprise mid-series recall of 39-year-old Deon Fourie, but the flanker-turned-hooker exposed a lineout weakness when deployed in the position
- Erasmus has outlined a three-pronged plan involving Bongi Mbonambi, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and André-Hugo Venter to solve the hooker depth problem
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The Springboks produced another commanding display in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry (RGR) series against New Zealand, sweeping all four matches, but a recurring problem at hooker has emerged as a significant concern heading into the 2027 Rugby World Cup cycle.
Malcolm Marx was the standout performer across the series and would have been the overwhelming choice for a Man of the Series award had one been officially named. However, the 32-year-old carried an unusually heavy workload throughout the fixtures, a situation that has put the depth behind him under the spotlight.
**Fourie Recall Highlights Hooker Depth Problem**
The contrast with the 2019 World Cup campaign is striking. Back then, Marx and Bongi Mbonambi shared responsibilities closely, each regularly playing around a half of rugby. That balance no longer exists. Mbonambi's ongoing battle with fitness has seen his influence diminish, while younger options Johan Grobbelaar and Jan-Hendrik Wessels have yet to consistently stake their claim.
Midway through the RGR series, coach Rassie Erasmus took the unusual step of recalling veteran Deon Fourie, 39, to the squad. Fourie brings considerable experience and leadership, but his natural position is openside flank, and his appearances at hooker exposed lineout vulnerabilities during the most recent match.
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**Erasmus Maps Out a Path Forward**
Erasmus confirmed at the end of August that Mbonambi, now 35, is working towards a return after suffering both a knee injury and a lower-back problem. Speaking to the media, Erasmus said: "Bongi had a knee injury and then it's a lower-back thing. He keeps us up to date and we WhatsApp every now and then to ask how he's doing. But obviously the Sharks medical team must clear him first."
The coach indicated that any return for Mbonambi would need to be managed carefully. "We'll have to get him in and see him playing maybe a few Currie Cup games, and then maybe we can consider him again," Erasmus said.
On the longer-term picture, Erasmus pointed to Wessels as a specialist option in development. "Jan-Hendrik Wessels is going to develop into a specialist reserve hooker. We're building him up slowly." He also confirmed that André-Hugo Venter remains in contention, adding: "In the long run, Bongi, I know is really close to returning again. But Bongi has to play some proper matches now and get it under his belt before we can again look at him."
With the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, managing Marx's minutes while establishing a reliable back-up remains one of the most pressing tasks facing the Springbok coaching staff.
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Source: Briefly News
