Sri Lanka’s bowlers made the most of favourable overhead conditions and a damp pitch to put the South African batting lineup under pressure on the opening day of the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban. The Proteas, put in to bat after Sri Lanka won the toss, ended the first session on a precarious 80/4 as light drizzle brought an early end to play. The Kingsmead pitch had been covered for 14 hours due to a rain shower that hit Durban overnight and into the early hours of Wednesday morning. Sri Lanka wasted no time capitalizing on the conditions, with the ball moving in the air and off the surface. Aiden Markram was the first to fall, dismissed for 9 after playing two crisp shots through the off-side. He edged a delivery from Asitha Fernando that seamed away. His opening partner, Tony de Zorzi, followed shortly after for just 4, also caught off a seaming delivery outside the off-stump by left-arm bowler Vishwa Fernando.

The Proteas’ middle order, including Tristan Stubbs and captain Temba Bavuma, worked hard to steady the innings. Stubbs, after hitting a few boundaries off Lahiru Kumara’s first over, was dismissed for 16 when he edged a delivery to slip in Kumara’s next over. Kumara’s success continued as he claimed the wicket of David Bedingham (4), who was clean bowled by a delivery that seamed back in sharply. Bavuma, who was playing his first match since October due to an elbow injury, appeared solid at the crease. Despite some early nerves, he played a couple of elegant boundaries. However, he was fortunate to still be at the crease after gloving a short ball from Kumara to the wicketkeeper, but the delivery was ruled a no-ball. Wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne, fresh off a century against Bangladesh in the Proteas’ previous Test series, also contributed with a couple of well-timed boundaries before the break.

The session ended early due to the drizzle, with the Proteas on 80/4, with Bavuma (28 not out) and Verreynne (9 not out) at the crease. Proteas: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wicket-keeper), Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada. Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Kusal Mendis (wicket-keeper), Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando.

An united kingdom of their own: Springboks building an unbeatable dynasty

The Springboks capped off their end-of-year tour with impressive victories over Scotland, England, and Wales, demonstrating dominance without needing to engage top gear. As the rugby world watches closely, the Springboks are poised to improve even further as they march toward the 2027 World Cup, leaving a trail of optimism in their wake.

1. The Veterans Still Have It
A significant portion of the Springbok squad is over 30, with several players nearing the 32/33 age bracket, raising questions about their longevity leading up to the 2027 World Cup. However, veterans like Franco Mostert are showing that age is no barrier to high performance. Mostert, who turned 34 on the day of the Wales clash, was named Player of the Match after a stellar display—15 carries over 100m and 12 successful tackles. Despite a serious leg injury, Mostert’s relentless hunger and performance underline the positive environment fostered by coach Rassie Erasmus. As Erasmus alluded to in a recent press conference, there will be a critical shift after next year’s Italy series, where he will begin shaping the squad for 2027, with a focus on younger talent while ensuring the senior players are still the best in their positions.

2. Bok Midfield Flourishing
The partnership of Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende in the Springbok midfield is thriving and earned them spots in the World Rugby Dream Team. Their ability to balance brute strength and skill, coupled with solid defense, makes them a key part of the Boks’ success. Under attack coach Tony Brown’s guidance, De Allende has also evolved into a more prominent distributor of the ball, showcasing his skills as a passer. While Lukhanyo Am, a 2023 World Player of the Year nominee, and Andre Esterhuizen continue to impress, the midfield depth remains a position of strength for the Boks.

3. The Search for Duane Vermeulen’s Successor
Replacing Duane Vermeulen has been one of Rassie Erasmus’ toughest tasks. The absence of Vermeulen for over a year has seen various players take their shot at the No 8 role, but no one has yet firmly claimed the position. However, against Wales, Jasper Wiese delivered a standout performance, making 19 impactful carries, mostly from set-pieces, and helping to gain valuable territory for the team. With competition from Kwagga Smith and rising star Cameron Hanekom, the Boks’ back row is starting to take shape as Wiese cements his place in the team.

4. Front-Row Depth Continues to Grow
While the Springboks’ front row was missing some stalwarts like Frans Malherbe and with concerns over Steven Kitshoff’s recovery from neck surgery, the emergence of fresh talent has been encouraging. Wilco Louw’s call-up after Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ injury paid off, as Louw impressed in set scrums. Daan Human, the Springboks’ scrum coach, will also be pleased with the performances of Thomas du Toit, who excelled at Bath and seamlessly moved between tighthead and loosehead. Gerhard Steenekamp further solidified his reputation with strong performances, adding depth to the Boks’ front-row options.

5. A Glimpse of the Future
The Springboks’ tour victories were achieved with a blend of experienced heads and emerging talent, laying a solid foundation for the next World Cup cycle. As the 2025 season draws nearer, Rassie Erasmus will continue to mold a squad capable of defending the World Cup title and pushing for greatness in 2027. With the veterans still performing at a high level, the rise of young stars, and a deepening pool of talent, the future of South African rugby looks incredibly bright.

The Springboks’ performance on this tour has set the stage for an exciting 2025, with the team continuing to evolve and strengthen as they march toward their ultimate goal—success at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.