Make-or-break for Bok five

The Springboks get down to business tomorrow in their opening game of their end-of-year-tour against Scotland at Murrayfield in Edinburgh and they will be gunning to get off to the best possible start. They will be eager to cap a magnificent year with a clean sweep on their tour to the UK. Ross Roche looks at a quintet of players that will be eager to seize their chance to impress on tour.

Thomas du Toit

► Prop Du Toit has a huge opportunity to establish himself as a key player for the Boks in the coming years on this endof-year-tour. The 29-year-old has been a regular squad player for the national team for many years now, but has never been one of their go-to players, and even missed out on selection to last year's World Cup.

► With Trevor Nyakane now out of the Bok mix, and the injury to first choice Frans Malherbe, Du Toit has a real chance to stamp his authority on the tighthead prop berth. He is also able to play on both sides of the scrum, which is the role Nyakane previously had, and should secure his spot in the squad. But with Wilco Louw also being picked for the tour, Du Toit will need to make sure he proves his worth so as not to slip behind him.

Johan Grobbelaar

► The Bulls hooker was initially picked in the Bok squad back in 2021, after some solid form as a youngster, but a number of serious injuries and indifferent form over the years delayed his debut for the national team until this year. Having enjoyed some top form over the past few seasons for the Bulls, he finally played his first game in the green and gold against Portugal in July, and also got a chance during the Rugby Championship.