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The Springboks’ 2024 Season: A Year to Remember

The Bokke Class of 2024 etched their name into the history books with one of their finest seasons, culminating in a flawless Castle Lager Outgoing Tour. The Springboks secured victories over Scotland, England, and Wales – a clean sweep last achieved in 2013.

Under the expert guidance of coach Rassie Erasmus, the Boks concluded the year ranked number one in the world, boasting an impressive 11 wins in 13 Tests, reflecting a remarkable 84.6% win rate. Their two narrow defeats, both by a single point, came against Ireland and Argentina. Adding to their dominance, the team crossed the try line 57 times, marking the third-highest try-scoring season since 1992. For perspective, the most tries were scored in 2007 (81) and 1997 (74), the latter when Erasmus himself wore the green and gold. Notably, Erasmus utilized a staggering 50 players throughout the year.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 17: Eben Etzebeth of the Springboks holds the Nelson Mandela Plate aloft after winning the The Rugby Championship match between Australia Wallabies and South Africa Springboks at Optus Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Adding Silverware to the Trophy Cabinet

The Boks added two major trophies to their already illustrious collection in 2024:

  • The Castle Lager Rugby Championship trophy, last claimed in 2019.
  • The Freedom Cup, reclaimed from New Zealand after a 15-year wait.

In addition, they retained the Prince William Cup (against Wales), the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate (against Australia), and the Qatar Airways Cup. These triumphs add to an impressive haul that already includes four Webb Ellis Cups and two British & Irish Lions Series trophies (2009 and 2021).

Dominant Tour Performance

Riding the momentum from their Rugby Championship victory, the Springboks began their Castle Lager Outgoing Tour in style, defeating Scotland 32-15 in Edinburgh. They followed this up with a hard-fought 29-20 win against England at Twickenham and ended with a commanding 45-12 victory over Wales in Cardiff.

Erasmus continued his philosophy of squad rotation, using 35 of the 36 players on the tour. The only exception was Jean Kleyn, a Rugby World Cup-winning lock called up as an injury replacement but unavailable for the final match against Wales.

Eyeing Future Glory

Looking ahead, the Springboks aim to build on their 2024 success in the Castle Lager Incoming Series in July 2025, with Tests against Italy and Georgia in South Africa. They will also face Australia and Argentina in home fixtures during the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.

By the Numbers: Springboks in 2024

  • #1 on the World Rugby Rankings
  • 13 Tests Played: 11 won, 2 lost
  • 57 Tries Scored, 23 Tries Conceded (3 clean sheets: Australia, New Zealand, Scotland)
  • 450 Points Scored, 220 Points Conceded
  • 50 Players Used
  • 4 Captains: Kolisi, Moerat, Du Toit and Etzebeth
  • 3 World Rugby Player of the Year Nominees: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe
  • 12 New Caps

New Springbok Caps

  • Jordan Hendrikse
  • Edwill van der 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

Milestone Achievements

  • Vincent Koch: 50th Test
  • Kwagga Smith: 50th Test

The Springboks’ 2024 season was nothing short of extraordinary, showcasing their determination, depth, and dominance. With their sights set on future challenges, South African rugby fans can look forward to even greater achievements on the horizon.

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