Springboks aim to bolster scrum strength while blooding new props

THE changing of the guard in the Springbok front row will start as early as the opening Tests of 2025, as the world champions look to build on and maintain their dominance upfront of the last couple of Rugby World Cup cycles.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

Looking ahead to the 2027 edition in Australia, where the Boks will look to defend their title for the second time in a row, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus acknowledged that it’s time for them to bleed some new blood in the front row.

However, he and his assistant coaches want to see the Bok scrum keep that consistent dominance that has been there for the last six years.

With a handful of injured front-rankers and double World Cup winners reaching the age where they could start looking at retirement should they fall off the pace, Erasmus is eyeing the Boks' 2025 opening international matches to introduce fresh blood to the SA scrum.

They will start their season next Saturday against the Barbarians in Cape Town, which will be followed by double Tests against Italy in Pretoria and Gqeberha, and a one-off clash against Tier-Two nation Georgia in Mbombela.