The Springboks comfortably completed 2024 as the highest group on the world rankings with a rewarding 11 victories in 13 Tests, whereas Rassie Erasmus additionally used a unprecedented 50 gamers within the course of.

In complete, 12 gamers earned their first Springbok caps, and Lions star Edwill van der Merwe was one in every of 4 gamers to debut within the 2024 season opener towards Wales.

The highly effective wing loved a standout efficiency that earned him the Man of the Match award, with a surprising attempt to outstanding double try-saving sort out serving as a few actual particular person highlights.

Unfortunately, an ankle damage throughout a Currie Cup match in July then sidelined Van der Merwe till the beginning of October, and finally scuppered his possibilities of that includes in one other Test for the Springboks.

However, he has made it clear that a part of his New Year’s decision pertains to including extra Test caps to his CV.

“On the field, I want to get back into the Bok group. I would love to play more games for the Springboks,” he advised the media within the buildup to Saturday’s spherical 3 EPCR Challenge Cup conflict between the Lions and Montpellier within the south of France.

“That is where my focus is and I know the only way I am going to achieve that, is to constantly play well for the Lions, to be a good team man.”

Springboks by the numbers in 2024

#1 on the World Rugby Rankings
13 Tests Played
11 Tests received
2 Tests misplaced
57 tries scored
23 tries conceded (three clean-sheets, towards Australia, New Zealand and Scotland)
450 factors scored
220 factors conceded
50 gamers used
4 captains (Kolisi, Moerat, Du Toit and Etzebeth)
3 World Rugby Player of the Year nominations (Du Toit, Etzebeth and Kolbe)
12 new caps

New caps:
Jordan Hendrikse
Edwill vd Merwe
Ben-Jason Dixon
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Johan Grobbelaar
Phepsi Buthelezi
Morne van den Berg
Andre-Hugo Venter
Ruan Venter
Quan Horn
Cameron Hanekom

fiftieth Tests
Vincent Koch
Kwagga Smith

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