Willem Alberts has hailed Cameron Hanekom as a “full” participant after the unfastened ahead made his long-awaited debut for the Springboks in opposition to Wales in Cardiff.
Hanekom performed many of the second half of the Springboks’ victory over the Dragons after changing Vodacom Bulls teammate Elrigh Louw at blindside flank.
The 22-year-old can also be snug at openside flank and No 8, the place he has principally performed for the Vodacom Bulls over the previous two seasons.
Writing for Sunday newspaper Rapport, former Bok flank Alberts, who earned the nickname ‘the Bone Collector’ for his huge tackles, stated he charges Hanekome extremely.
“I used to be excited to see Cameron Hanekom make his debut yesterday, precisely as I did 14 years in the past,” Alberts wrote for Rapport.
“However he’s a a lot better athlete and ball participant than I used to be. He’s extra like Bobby Skinstad or Pierre Spies when it comes to abilities, however can also be bodily.
“He’s the entire bundle.”
Because the Springboks accomplished a profitable season that noticed the world champions win 11 out of 13 video games whereas utilizing 52 gamers, their subsequent focus will probably be on Sunday’s World Rugby awards.
Three Springboks – Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cheslin Kolbe – are within the working for the Participant of the Yr award for 2024.
“All these Boks are one of the best on the planet of their positions proper now,” Alberts wrote. “I’ll all the time ship a shout to Pieter-Steph as a result of he was my roommate on his first Bok tour, and he’s additionally a unfastened ahead.
“I performed with Eben in his first take a look at and it’s nice to see him change into essentially the most embellished Bok ever, whereas Cheslin is an unimaginable rugby participant. He confirmed that dynamite is available in small packages, and I feel he would possibly win the prize.”
Photograph: Dan Mullan/Getty Photographs
