BRAVE: Why did Hooker get to lift the Freedom Cup?

It was a week of bravery from the Springboks - first from coach Rassie Erasmus, who backed young, fresh players, and then from those players themselves. And with no-one was this more true than with 22-year-old Ethan Hooker.

The Westville Boys High old boy’s performance clearly touched his teammates, with his captain Siya Kolisi taking the step of ensuring he got his special moment with the trophy (as shown in the video), while some of his more experienced teammates had their own way of celebrating with him and showing he is now part of the team and belongs among them.

Playing the All Blacks away in Wellington in just the third international of his career, having come off the bench in the defeat at Eden Park the week before, Hooker’s blistering run from a position deep inside his own territory that led ultimately to a Bok try was clearly unexpected by the Kiwis.

And for good reason, for a few years ago a South African player would have been chastised by his coach for “running from the wrong area on the field”.

After all, the Boks were leading at the time, but these days the Boks are more adventurous as well as smarter.

Thanks to Hooker’s run and what followed it, the South Africans profited in a handsome way and effectively wrapped up the game. Safe and confident in the aerial battle, something that his Sharks coach John Plumtree says was a big work on for him last season, Hooker exemplified at Sky Stadium in his team’s 43-10 win the new spirit and culture running through SA rugby.

Freedom Cup retained 🤝#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #NZLvRSA pic.twitter.com/YmfFxTIlSs

— Springboks (@Springboks) September 13, 2025