Is Frans Steyn’s ‘youngest ever’ Springbok record in danger?
· The South African
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has called up a host of youngsters ahead of what is shaping to be a banner year of international rugby.
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While there may well be no Rugby Championship, its ‘replacement’ – the Nations Championship – promises to be even more daunting and taxing on the body for the men in green and gold.
Throw in four Tests against the All Blacks and it certainly is a rugby year to ‘sit back, relax and enjoy’.
Never shy to select youngsters
Erasmus, who has never been shy to select both youngsters and those considered long in the tooth, has given a host of promising teenagers a closer look ahead of the season which kicks off on Saturday, 20 June against the Barbarians in Gqeberha.
Among those youngsters are 18-year-olds Markus Muller and Kai Pratt.
Both were standouts at Craven Week last year for Western Province and SWD, respectively, and the duo earned selection for the SA U18 side.
Markus Muller, who was a schoolboy sensation for Paarl Gimnasium, is equally at home in both the No 12 and No 13 jerseys.
He scored more than 50 tries in his Grade 11 and 12 years playing while representing Paarl Gimnasium, Western Province and SA Schools.
He also assumed kicking duties for the famed Paarl school and scored a record 43 points in one match.
He signed with the Stormers in 2026 and has already trained with the senior squad and is currently part of the SA Under 20 squad.
Meanwhile, Oakdale’s highly-rated loosehead prop Kai Pratt is continuing his rapid rise after securing a move to the Sharks.
He has long been seen as one of South Africa’s top front-row prospects, having reached the final round of U13 Craven Week selection at just 10.
He later represented SWD Eagles at various age levels, earned SA Schools honours in 2025, and became a capped Junior Springboks player.
Pratt initially targeted a place in the Sharks U21 side, with ambitions of progressing to the Currie Cup this season.
However, his surprise inclusion in the Springboks set-up could fast-track his development, with potential involvement in the United Rugby Championship (URC) sooner than expected.
Frans Steyn’s Springbok record in danger
Should either of Muller or Pratt be selected for the Springboks in 2026, they would comfortably break the current record for ‘youngest ever Springbok’ (in the modern era), held by Frans Steyn.
Steyn was 19 years and 181 days old when Jake White selected him to start on the left wing against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in November 2006.
Steyn scored a try that day, but the Springboks lost 32-15.
Five youngest Springboks on debut in modern era
Francois Steyn19 years, 181 daysCanan Moodie19 years, 302 daysChilliboy Ralepelle19 years, 349 daysPat Lambie20 years, 20 daysJohan Goosen20 years, 43 daysSpringbok fixtures 2026
International
Saturday, 20 June: Springboks v Barbarians (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha)
Nations Championship
Saturday, 4 July: Springboks v England (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 11 July: Springboks v Scotland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 18 July: Springboks v Wales (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry
Saturday, 22 August: Springboks v All Blacks (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 29 August: Springboks v All Blacks (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, 5 September: Springboks v All Blacks (FNB Stadium, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 12 September: Springboks v All Blacks (M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA)
Once-off Test
Sunday, 27 September: Wallabies v Springboks (Optus Stadium, Perth)
Nations Championship
Saturday, 7 November: Italy v Springboks (Venue TBC)
Friday, 13 November: France v Springboks (Stade de France, Paris)
Saturday, 21 November: Ireland v Springboks (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
Friday, 27 to Sunday, 29 November: Finals weekend (Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London)