Although the depth of the Springboks' prop positions is considered one of the best in world rugby, the situation with players at the hooker position looks different. After a long break, Bongani Mbonambi only recently returned to play for the Stormers, Deon Fury is nearing the end of his career, and Johan Grobbelaar failed to replicate the high results from last November.
Under these circumstances, 32-year-old Malcolm Marx continues to carry a huge load in the Bok squad. His recent outstanding performances, including over 200 minutes in four intense matches against the All Blacks, highlight how difficult it is to replace a player who is both a master of team play and an immovable tackling machine.
Enter 25-year-old Jan-Hendrik Vessels. He was selected alongside Marx as the sole specialist hooker in the Boks' 37-man squad for the Nations Cup in November. This tour marks a turning point for the dynamic Bulls forward.
Role Distribution in the Squad
With Marco van Staden available as a reserve hybrid third choice, the responsibility for providing a quality and complete replacement for Marx falls entirely on Vessels' shoulders. Erasmus has never been unfamiliar with glowing assessments of Vessels' potential; previously, he compared the mobility of the former Grey College prodigy in close combat to Springboks legends Ossu Randt and Ollie le Roux.
Since his debut against Portugal in 2024, Vessels has predominantly played low-shed prop for the Springboks, occasionally featuring at hooker in the second half. Having gone through the SA Rugby early development system and trained under Jake White at the Bulls, Vessels possesses a rare combination of athleticism and powerful physical strength.
Being a 'tougher' option with excellent ball-carrying abilities, Vessels provides the Springboks with a significant tactical advantage. When he is on the bench, South Africa effectively has a hooker and an extra prop, without disrupting the team's balance.
Challenges of Transitioning to Hooker
Nevertheless, the transition from low-shed prop to international hooker is a major achievement. While scrummaging and carrying the ball come naturally to the young athlete, finding the jump in the attacking line under strong pressure remains his main area for growth. Erasmus called for patience regarding Vessels' development as a hooker, but next month in the Northern Hemisphere will not allow him to hide.
As matches against Italy, France, and Ireland are scheduled before the Final Weekend in London, the Nations Cup becomes the ideal high-pressure environment for Vessels to establish himself as Marx's successor. Daily training against seasoned props such as Wilko Lou, Thomas du Toit, and Ox Nche has accelerated his learning of team play. However, more time on the field under high pressure in the role of hooker will significantly aid his development.
If Vessels can improve his execution in the attacking line, reliably secure the scrum, and replicate his explosive abilities in open play during the tour, he will resolve one of the biggest tactical questions facing the Springboks ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. For Vessels, the November Nations Cup is an opportunity to master the profession of a true front-row forward and stop being a versatile tool for the Boks that only temporarily replaces a prop in a crisis. It is a chance to prove that he belongs on the biggest stage as Marx's heir in the Springboks.
