Springbok No8 Cameron Hanekom and Argentina's back row Pablo Matera vies for the ball during the Rugby Union one-off test match at the Jose Amalfitani stadium in Buenos Aires.
Despite a strong performance against Argentina on Saturday evening, which should put Springbok eighthman Cameron Hanekom firmly in the picture for the opening Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test, head coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed Jasper Wiese’s status as the premier No 8.
Hanekom led the physical charge of the world champions in Buenos Aires, and his carries over the gain line and ferocious tackling helped lay the platform for the 17-10 victory. He was forced off with a knock late in the clash, but up until then, the youngster grabbed his chance of a rare start with both hands.
The Ceres-born loose forward also scored the try that sealed the game for the Boks, and he will hope that he’s done enough to make him part of the match-day conversation ahead of the opening Test at Ellis Park on August 22.
While Erasmus praised the performance of the loosie, alongside several other returning players like locks Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth, centre André Esterhuizen and Morné van den Berg, he emphasised that Wiese remains in the pound seat for the Springboks.
