Former Springbok Breyton Paulse tips Stormers star as future Springbok

Former Springbok winger Breyton Paulse was one of the most explosive and exciting outside backs during his playing days.

Spending eleven years in the Western Province and Stormers set-up, Paulse would go on to earn 64 Springbok caps, scoring 26 tries during his eight seasons in green.

So when Paulse discusses up-and-coming outside back talent, it’s worth listening to.

Speaking today in a BKT United Rugby Championship round table event alongside former Ulster and Ireland centre Darren Cave, Paulse was asked about who he felt would be the next great Springbok back.

Referencing the current depth within South African Rugby, Paulse explained how tough it would be for someone to break into the squad whilst also acknowledging that head coach Rassie Erasmus has shown a propensity to mix things up.

“I mean, we know that the competition with the Springbok team is fierce,” Paulse said.

“For me, Rassie and his (coaching) team have picked 49 players this year for the Springbok squad.

“That’s unheard of, back in the day, you were picked and if you were in form you didn’t get dropped.

“Coaches were really conservative back in the day, but obviously, along came Rassie Erasmus, and he changed the whole narrative of the Springbok squad and the unpredictability of what they have achieved the last couple of years.

“So I think it keeps people on their toes in terms of what’s next.”

Referencing Bok star Cheslin Kolbe as the epitome of what the new look Springboks are about, Paulse explained how impressed he is with the unpredictable nature of the back-to-back World Champions.

“A guy like Cheslin Kolbe, for instance, is throwing into the line-out, he’s bumping 120kg forwards to the ground and there’s a nice unpredictability about this team.

“I’m thinking of the line-out where it’s a bit to throw the ball over his head to Peter-Steph Du Toit. So it shows you that they are also working hard on their attacking flair now.”

Referring back to the original question, Paulse earmarked a player from his old side, the Stormers, as one to watch in the future.

“Coming back to your point in terms of young players or players knocking on the door for the end of the year, I really like Suleiman Hartzenberg.

“I feel that he’s got the potential and I tell you what, I can put my pen on paper to say that he will be a Springbok one day. He’s got all the credentials; he’s got the identity and personality to become a Springbok.”

Former Bishops student Hartzenberg has already shown his versatility by slotting in on the wing and at outside centre for the Stormers. Still just 21-years-old, Hartzenberg is certainly one to watch in this year’s BKT United Rugby Championship.