Nick Mallett believes two players are in pole position to replace Pieter-Steph du Toit

At 33 years old, it does feel a touch premature to start talking about players filling the extraordinary boots of du Toit. The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year is showing no signs of slowing down and his vast skillset is on full display in the Boks' new attacking game plan.

But Father Time remains undefeated. It's difficult to write, but the 2027 Rugby World Cup will likely be du Toit's last one.

The Springboks are blessed with a herd of powerful, versatile loose forwards, but Mallett believes there are two rising stars that are a cut above the rest. The injured Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom, aged 26 and 23 respectively, are Mallett's favourites to take over the No.7 jersey in the mid-term future.

"Elrigh, when he returns from injury, has the height, physical strength and rugby intelligence to become an excellent seven-flank," he told Rapport.

"The other very special player is Hanekom. Maybe not quite as tall, but an excellent rugby player with a very high performance.

"He has a very high tackle count, a good passing game in contact situations and carries the ball very well. He also wins loose balls, which is an added bonus."

However, given their long-term injuries, Bok management will have to look to other options for the upcoming end-of-year tour. Mallett went on to say that he's been mightily impressed by Ruan Norje, who has started all his Test matches at lock but regularly plays flanker for the Bulls.

"If neither of them [Louw and Hanekom] are fit to tour, there is the possibility of using Nortje as a seven-flank," continued Mallett.

"He covers the ground well, has a very good engine, makes a lot of tackles and is an excellent lineout exponent."