Five Young Gun Springboks The Lions Could Face In 2021

A few youngsters have made their mark against the famed touring side over the years.

In 2013, a young Israel Folau made his test debut against Warren Gatland's side while in 2017 Rieko Ioane and Jordie Barrett impressed over the three test matches.

Having already looked at the bolters Warren Gatland could turn to next year and have now turned our attention to the South Africans.

Under Pieter de Villiers' stewardship in 2009, the Springboks claimed a 2-1 series victory with test rookie Morne Steyn slotting the winning penalty in the second test with rookie flanker Heinrich Brussow also impressing.

There were other relatively inexperienced players in Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn playing major roles for the side at a young age, although both had won the World Cup two years earlier.

With this in mind, we have selected five players that are currently based in South Africa that may make their mark in the green and gold against the red army.

Aphelele Fassi, Sharks

A familiar name to anyone that watched a Sharks' Super Rugby game before the competition went on hold this season.

An electric runner with all the tricks needed to excel at test level. The 22-year-old may need a bit more time to harness his skills as a test fullback but would be more than capable at wing by the time the Lions land in the Republic.

A game breaker that looks set to replace Willie Le Roux when the time comes, he may be in a battle with Damian Willemse during his career but Fassi certainly can hold his own and will punish any weakness in the opposition's defence.

Rikus Pretorius, Stormers

South Africa are well known for producing hard ball carrying centres that provide some excellent go forward ball from the 12 channel and Rikus Pretorius is no different.

The 2021 tour may be too soon for the former South African u20 but the addition of Jamie Roberts at the Stormers could help fast track his career with Pretorius also set to be the Stormers go to man during the 2021 Super Rugby season.

Pretorius is a bit more than just a hard-ball carrier as he possesses a superb passing and offloading game.

Juarno Augustus, Stormers

Injuries have hampered the growth of the former World Rugby U20 player of the year but the burning no.8 looked to have recaptured his form during the 2020 Super Rugby season.

Augustus crossed the tryline in each of the SA u20s five matches in the 2018 World Rugby Under-20 Championship and looked on track to make a jump to test level in the near future.

Two years on and his career hasn't reached those highs yet but another string of excellent performances should see him being thrown back into the conversation.

Incoming Springbok head coach Jacques Nienabaar has no luck of options in the #8 jersey once he takes over but he could stamp his mark on the side by making a bold call in the position.

Joseph Dweba, Cheetahs 

Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi have been in a two-horse race for the starting hooker role in the Springbok squad since 2018 but judging on the latter's unfortunate run of injuries a third choice hooker could get their shot in 2021.

Again, Nienebaar has plenty of options despite the retirement of Schalk Brits but Dweba has been one of the most consistent local rakes for the past two seasons.

The Cheetahs hooker has reportedly signed for Bordeaux for the next season but that shouldn't rule him out for a call up come the 2021 tour where the 24-year-old could earn his first cap.

Wandisile Simelane, Lions

Another player that looks as if he has all the goods necessary to make it at the top level, Simelane has yet to settle at outside centre or wing for the Lions and recently reported disagreements with the coaching staff have seen his involvement this term-limited.

However, he is the subject of plenty of interest from Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White. A move to the Bulls and some regular starting minutes at the Bulls under the former World Cup-winning coach could ignite his career at just the right time.

Simelane will be 23 by the time the Lions arrive and he could just burst into the squad at the right time and show of some of his slick sidesteps, searing pace and excellent link-up skills to shine in the series.