Nerves and excitement. The combination that every young player loves and fears when they head into a big game.
And it is no different for Ethan Hooker, who will win his third cap for the Springboks this weekend as they try and salvage their Castle Lager Rugby Championship title quest against the arch-rivals, the All Blacks in Wellington.
Wing Hooker is part of a very young and inexperienced backline unleashed by coach Rassie Erasmus ahead of the game that can fire spectacularly or fail spectacularly, depending on whether you are an optimist or pessimist.
That he has the talent is unquestionable. The experience of playing in one of the toughest arenas in professional rugby can do strange things, but that is where the world’s best players step up and shine.
The Boks are obviously hoping the youthful exuberance can work in their favour this weekend.
🗣️ "I remember standing there, watching the Haka, thinking this is amazing, this is so cool!"
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 9, 2025
Ethan Hooker gets his first start in a Springbok jersey this weekend after being named in the 11 jersey.#SSRugby | #TheRugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/5hs5388ZX3
YOUNG GUNS
The young guns knocking on the door have been waiting for their chance to get ahead, and now want to show what they are worth. And if they succeed, Bok rugby takes a massive step forward in Project 2027.
But there is the danger it can backfire short term, but work long term.
Hooker is a big part of this, he has impressed with every opportunity he has been given and is a player who loves a chance to prove himself.
So when he talks about nerves and energy it is from a good place. A place that Bok fans will hope can be exploited to the benefit of the team.
“There’s definitely nerves and excitement, especially with the significance of the match in the title race, so it’s a must-win game,” said Hooker.
“The excitement comes from being on the pitch and being able to represent your country, and the nerves come from the stage you are playing on. So it’s important to find the balance between those two on the day, so that you don’t get too nervous or excited, and keep a calm head going into the game.”
NEW BREED OF BOK
Hooker is from the new breed of Boks - those who, unlike their double World Cup winning teammates, haven’t experienced New Zealand or the rigours of touring in Super Rugby. They are more in tune with the northern hemisphere, but the dream of facing the old foe is very much alive.
“I’ve never been to New Zealand before, so the jetlag was something new for me, but I remember waking up early to watch matches between the sides with my father, so driving to Eden Park last week was very special.
“Coming to New Zealand and playing here is obviously a dream come true, and I just want to go out there and make the most of the opportunity.”
The concern ahead of the test is the inexperience of the backline, but Hooker said that the two most experienced backline players in the squad - last weekend’s captain Jesse Kriel and his midfield partner Damian de Allende, had spent a lot of time guiding this backline in what they need to do.
CALM HEADS
“We are privileged to have guys like Jesse and Damian in the squad – they’ve calmed us down a lot,” Hooker said.
“We’ve been training with them for a few months now, and learning from them in the process, which will give us confidence going onto the pitch.
“We definitely won’t be playing with fear, as some people think. Our goal is to go out there and play as well as we can, just as any other player would.
“The combinations are working really well at training, and in general, the guys are not feeling pressure, which is a positive that we can take into this weekend.”
Ethan Hooker: “We definitely won’t be playing with fear ... our goal is to go out there and play as well as we can” 🫡#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 9, 2025
The Sharks upstart was quick to shoot down suggestions of inexperience being a liability.
“I wouldn’t say it puts pressure on us. It’s a game of rugby, and I’ve been playing since I was 10 years old. Also, once you get on the pitch, test caps become irrelevant. As a player, you have to focus on your job and do it to the best of your ability.”
The match kicks off at 9:05am (SA time) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.