Match of the year? Forget what the British and Irish Lions might do in Australia. The place to be in 2025 is Eden Park where the All Blacks will attempt to defend their extraordinary record of never having lost there since 1994. On September 6, the Boks – with four-back-to-back wins over the All Blacks in their most recent history – will storm the fortress where New Zealand have won an impressive 50 consecutive Test matches. Hide the women and children.
Biggest challenge? Banging the drum for home Tests against Italy and Georgia. The Boks are 15 from 16 in matches against the Azzurri since 1995. The best thing about them? Tommaso Menoncello, the finest centre in the world you’ve (probably) never heard of.
Breakout star of 2025? South Africa’s excellent midfield stock has kept him out, but Henco van Wyk is the coming man and won’t be denied for long. The Lions centre, 23, is fast and athletic. Better still, the man known as “Weapon X” has an attacking instinct as sharp as it is unending. Special player.
Biggest change? The upward trajectory of the women’s Boks now that Swys Joubert is involved. Provided they are conditioned, the women’s team will continue to set new standards under Nolusindiso Booi’s captaincy. The Rugby World Cup in August thus looms large.
Come in, HQ: There are bound to be a few bumps in the road as SA Rugby goes in search of investment – again. But search they must as rugby’s economy downsizes while costs spiral. You sense the glut of competition is unsustainable on two levels – the way it imperils player welfare and the soaring costs of international travel.
The impossible dilemma: South Africa has neither the cultural nor traditional regard for the European Champions Cup. Critics might throw in the geographical dynamic too. Whatever. What is undeniable is the inability of South Africa’s URC teams to blend their ambitions to include both the United Rugby Championship and the Champions Cup. Until they do, the Champions Cup will remain out of mind – and out of reach.
How will success be measured in 2025? The Boks growth and form last year was stellar. Daring to want more of the same in 2025 might be greedy, but with an easier fixture list and dozens of new players introduced to the national scene, it can’t be too much to expect. Winning at Eden Park would be massive. Going back to back in New Zealand? Stratospheric given that the last time the Boks did so was in 1937.
