Next weekend, the Springboks will kick off the 2024 Test season, and it will be interesting to see whether talented newcomer Andre-Hugo Venter could earn his first Test cap.
The inclusion of Venter in the Springboks’ wider training group has made a few headlines recently, not just as a result of the fact he’s dating Rassie Erasmus’ daughter, but also because he is the son of legendary former Bok Andre Venter.
Andre-Hugo Venter’s journey into the Springbok camp has been a fascinating one, with the 22-year-old having previously posed in a team photo with his father when he was just a young boy.
As the talented forward then began to make his own mark in the rugby world, he shared a special moment with Siya Kolisi a few years ago. After the two posed for a photo together, Kolisi posted a memorable message on social media, stating: “Great meeting you my man. Your dad was special today, you are truly blessed to have a man like him to look up to.”
In a full circle moment, Venter is now likely to play alongside Kolisi at some point in the years to come, particularly as the Springboks look to begin building more depth at hooker.
Meanwhile, it’s been confirmed match-day squad for the opening Test of the season, against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday 22 June, will be announced on Tuesday.
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You can see a snippet of the special journey of Andre-Hugo Venter below:
PREVIOUS FATHER-SON SPRINGBOKS
| Father | Son |
| Alf Walker | Harry Walker |
| Mauritz van den Berg | Derek van den Berg |
| CB Jennings | Mike Jennings |
| Felix du Plessis | Morne du Plessis |
| Louis Schmidt | Uli Schmidt |
| Joggie Viljoen | Joggie Viljorn jnr |
| Moaner van Heerden | Wikus van Heerden |
| Hennie Bekker | Andries Bekker |
| Gysie Pienaar | Ruan Pienaar |
| Schalk Burger snr | Schalk Burger jnr |
| Flippe van der Merwe | Flip van der Merwe |
| Jaco Reinach | Cobus Reinach |
| Robert du Preez | Robert du Preez jnr |
| Robert du Preez | Jean-Luc du Preez |
| Robert du Preez | Dan du Preez |
TRAINING SQUAD (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER):
Forwards: Phepsi Buthelezi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Joseph Dweba, Ben-Jason Dixon (both DHL Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Celimpilo Gumede (Bulls), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Blu Revs), Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers).
Backs: Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jordan Hendrikse (Emirates Lions), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Emirates Lions), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi, Siya Masuku (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Emirates Lions), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).