From no Springboks to five from their ranks – that is more than enough reason for the Golden Lions Rugby Union to be quite chuffed with themselves right now.
The Lions might have finished ninth in the United Rugby Championship earlier this year, missing out on the play-offs in that tournament, but the acknowledgement of the fine form of a handful of their players from Bok mentor Rassie Erasmus will have the Doornfontein-based team in a buoyant mood.
Tomorrow at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein (5pm start), Lions flank Ruan Venter, scrumhalf Morné van den Berg and fullback Quan Horn will earn their Test caps when the Boks run out against Portugal.
Earlier this year against Wales, wing Edwill van der Merwe – now injured – made his debut and impressed, while flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse – who has transferred to the Sharks since – also made his first appearance in the green and gold as a Lions player.
Mziwakhe Nkosi, who is currently coaching the Joburgers in the Currie Cup, has had a hand in developing the quintet over the past few seasons, either in the elite domestic competition or through the junior ranks, revealed his personal pleasure at their national selection yesterday.
“It’s helluva rewarding as a coach,” said former SA Schools coach Nkosi. “That is the type of stuff that fuels us in this job.
“It is rewarding to know that we picked up Quan in De Aar, or that Krappie (Van den Berg) four, five years ago was playing at the Pirates Grand Challenge at fullback for Wits, or that Jordan was playing on the B-field in the Young Guns with Maties a year after school and we picked him up.
“Ruan had played in no representative team throughout his school career. His first national team was the Junior Boks two years ago.
Springbok certified! 🇿🇦🌟 Congratulations Quan, Morne and Ruan!#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/abE7BuGcWx
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) July 16, 2024
“We are incredibly proud of those guys. To have five new Springboks in two months, all of whom have come through the junior system, is quite an achievement and one that we are very proud of.
“There are plenty of people behind the scenes who have also put in the hard work. Hopefully on Saturday, they do their talent and the opportunity justice.”
It was a sentiment shared by Van den Berg’s teammate, former Junior Bok Nico Steyn, who admitted that watching the 26-year-old earn his Bok colours has left him inspired.
Said the 22-year-old No 9: “I am very proud of Krappie.
“We have a very good relationship. I spoke to him on Wednesday and there was just excitement.
“He deserves it. The past few years he has played some awesome rugby.
“You learn from him and see the road he took to get there, it is a positive. It is inspirational for me as well.”
Gearing up for a special occasion 🇿🇦🆚🇵🇹#Springboks#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/6wC99kODzB
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 16, 2024
The Lions could arguably supply even more Boks in the near future. Utility back Sanele Nohamba missed out, but remains on Erasmus’ radar, while injury denied outside centre Henco van Wyk a national call-up this season.
Asenathi Ntlabakanye, meanwhile, has enjoyed a purple patch too, and the prop has become something of a cult player at Ellis Park due to his hard-hitting defence and work rate off the ball.
Continue those performances and he will become near impossible to ignore.