Things come easily for the phenom that is Riley Norton. In 2024, his effort on the cricket pitch at junior level earned him a place in the SA U19 World Cup squad. The all-rounder went on to take 11 wickets at 18.36 and average over 50 with the bat.
But the U19 Proteas loss is the Junior Springboks gain. A year on in a new sporting code, Norton captained the Junior Springboks all the way to a World Rugby U20 Championship crown. The lock has continued his form in 2025, leading the next generation of Boks to the U20 Rugby Championship title.
So it should come as no surprise that the 20-year-old is one of 53 players strutting their stuff in the ongoing Springbok training camp in Johannesburg this week. At 198cm, he does stand out from the masses somewhat, but Erasmus has identified qualities far more valuable than his height.
"I don't want to single out a player because he's standing out more than the others, but he's definitely a guy that's got maturity about him, coming into the Springbok setup as a young guy," admitted Erasmus
"He's definitely not at all 'windgat', he's confident, and there's an aura around him. He understands what professional rugby is about, and I think that's why he's such a great leader for the Junior Boks."
High praise indeed. And now the Paul Roos graduate is in pole position to impress on the senior front. Erasmus revealed that Norton should earn game time this month, most likely in the SA 'A' clash against Zimbabwe rather than the Springboks against Barbarians season opener that follows on 20 June.
This comes as the Boks are not quite in an injury crisis, but their depth is certainly being tested. Erasmus took stock of locks and gave some incling to where Norton fits into the current Bok picture.
"RG is out, and he's always the guy that made it into the matchday 23, either starting or giving some impact," he began.
"Jean Kleyn was a nice backup; he wouldn't be in the matchday 23 always, and he's out. Salmaan is out for a long time, I think, he's got a neck [injury].
"Ruan Venter, who was willing to play lock, and we were really excited about that, he's out for a long time.
"Lood [De Jager] is back, Eben [Etzebeth] is also fit. And then we've got Cobus Wiese, and Ruan [Nortje] playing for the Bulls, and Riley, who's the U20 captain. Riley knows which team he fits in with next week, and he will get some proper game time."
As much it will be an honour and privilege to don the green and gold with a senior side, any game time will be the perfect personal tune-up for Norton, whose immediate challenges lie up North.
The Junior Boks will depart for Georgia later this month to defend their title at the rebranded 2026 World Rugby Junior Championships. They kick off their campaign against Uruguay on 27 June and with Norton at the helm, they are prime favourites to bring it home.
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