South African clubs feel the pinch as Springboks head abroad
When the 2025 Rugby Championship kicks off on August 16, the four South African URC teams will be scrambling. The DHL Stormers, Vodacom Bulls, Emirates Lions and Hollywoodbets Sharks are all set to lose a sizable chunk of their first‑choice line‑ups to Rassie Erasmus’s national side. Erasmus announced a 37‑man roster that draws heavily from each franchise, meaning the domestic competition will be played without many of the players who usually dominate the scoreboard.
In total, 24 of those 37 call‑ups have already hoisted the Rugby World Cup trophy, underlining just how much experience is being taken off the club benches. The timing couldn’t be harsher – the Rugby Championship runs until early October, overlapping with a crucial phase of the URC schedule. While the Springboks face Argentina, Australia and New Zealand, the South African clubs must battle Irish, Scottish, Welsh and even Italian sides, many of which are bolstered by French Top 14 and Japanese talent.
- Stormers lose regulars such as (example stars)…
- Bulls miss out on key forwards like (example)…
- Lions are without (example) leading backs.
- Sharks see (example) sidelined for national duty.
Beyond the veterans, the Springboks squad also includes five fresh faces who debuted in July against Italy and Georgia – Ethan Hooker, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Marnus van der Merwe, Boan Venter and Cobus Wiese. Three more – Bathobele Hlekani, Cheswill Jooste and Haashim Pead – leap straight from the Junior Springboks. Their inclusion signals a generational shift, but it also means those same new talents won’t be available for their club sides during the early URC rounds.
Silver linings: younger players get a chance to shine
The downside is obvious: losing star power hurts any team’s chances of clinching wins, especially when the competition includes clubs from nations where rugby is a cultural mainstay. Yet the situation also opens doors. Squad members who usually sit on the bench now find themselves in starting roles, and fringe players get to test themselves against top‑tier opposition.
Coaches across the four franchises are already sketching game plans that lean on depth. For instance, the Bulls’ forward pack may rotate in younger loose forwards to keep the engine running, while the Lions could experiment with a more expansive backline led by a rising wing. The Stormers, famous for their attacking flair, might hand the ball to a promising scrum‑half who’s been waiting for a chance to prove his mettle.
Rugby analysts note that this forced experiment could pay long‑term dividends. “When you strip a side back to its core, you see who can handle pressure,” says former Springboks flanker Tiaan Strauss. “Those players often become the backbone of future national squads.” The URC, with its mix of European and Southern Hemisphere styles, provides an ideal proving ground.
Meanwhile, the Rugby Championship itself is already proving why the Springboks are in such high demand. South Africa’s recent 43‑10 demolition of New Zealand in Wellington showcased the squad’s clinical edge. Replicating that level of performance without those stars will be a tall order for the Stormers, Bulls, Lions and Sharks, but the challenge could spark unexpected breakthroughs.
In short, the next few weeks will be a litmus test for the depth of South African rugby. If the franchises can hold their own against seasoned European clubs, it will reinforce the country’s reputation for producing talent that can step up when called upon. If not, the gap left by the Springboks may spark calls for a calendar tweak to better align club and country commitments.
7 Comments
Rahul Jha September 27 2025
Did you know the Springboks have already won 24 World Cups? 😲 The URC squads will feel that loss big time 😅 but it’s also a chance for new talent to shine 🌟
Gauri Sheth September 30 2025
I cant help but feel sO sad for the fans of the Stormers and Bulls. It feels like a betrayal of loyalty and the clubs are being sacrificed for a selfish national agenda. The players deserve better support, not to be ripped away from their homes!
om biswas October 3 2025
Honestly, this is just a pathetic excuse for the SARU to hide their own failures. They think dumping the best players on the Springboks will solve everything? WRONG. The clubs will crumble and the fans will see the truth.
sumi vinay October 6 2025
Come on everyone, let’s keep the spirits up! Even if the big names are gone, we’ll still see amazing rugby. I’m sure the young players will love the chance – it’s a great oppurtunity for them to grow.
Anjali Das October 9 2025
This whole thing shows how weak the SA clubs really are when they need foreign players to stay afloat.
Dipti Namjoshi October 12 2025
The depth of South African rugby will be truly tested in the upcoming URC rounds. When the seasoned Springboks depart, the remaining squad members must step into roles they have long observed from the sidelines. This shift will reveal which fringe players possess the mental fortitude to thrive under pressure. It is an opportunity for the younger generation to experience high‑stakes matches against European powerhouses. The Lions, for instance, could discover a new playmaker capable of orchestrating attacks against disciplined defenses. The Sharks might unearth a forward with unexpected ball‑carrying prowess, adding a fresh dimension to their game plan. Moreover, the Stormers' traditional flair could be re‑imagined by a daring scrum‑half eager to prove his worth. The gap left by the Springboks will not simply be a void; it will be a crucible in which talent is forged. Coaches must adapt, rotating players to maintain freshness while also fostering a competitive environment. As the URC blends southern hemispheric flair with northern tactical precision, these emerging stars will gain a unique education. Successful adaptation could produce future Springbok candidates who have already endured the rigors of European competition. Conversely, failure to adjust may expose systemic shortcomings in player development pathways. Ultimately, this period could redefine how South African rugby views depth, resilience, and opportunity. The stakes are high, but the potential rewards are even higher for those willing to rise.
Prince Raj October 15 2025
From a tactical standpoint, the Bulls can leverage their set‑piece dominance by integrating emerging loose forwards into the maul chain. This creates a higher turnover rate and sustains the ball phase, which is critical when star wing options are missing. The synergy between the new back‑row and the seasoned front‑row will enhance continuity and provide a platform for dynamic play. By employing a high‑press defense, the Lions can compensate for the loss of veteran backs, forcing errors and generating quick ball for the forwards.