Passing of the torch | New faces who will become global stars

Jordan to Kobe, Brady to Mahomes, Carter to Barrett, sports has a natural cycle of all-time greats bowing out only to be immediately replaced by a new-age iteration who takes the game to another level.

As always, with the season directly after a Rugby World Cup, several of the sport’s top names have moved onto pastures new. Take, for example, the World Champion Springboks, who saw the great Duane Vermeulen depart, or the All Blacks, who lost the backbone of their all-conquering 2010s team. For the northern hemisphere sides, two of the finest out halves, Owen Farrell and Jonathan Sexton, bowed out in challenging circumstances.

Turning over a new leaf, the bulk of the top teams have already begun to plan for the future with the introduction of top talent. Having already made their mark on the international game or on the verge of their debut, here are some names who have the potential to take over the game in the coming years.

*To qualify for this list the player had to debut or be set to debut in 2024*

Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i – Australia
Playing his first game of Rugby Union since leaving school, former NRL star Joseph Sua’ali’i proved unequivocally why Rugby Australia made him one of the highest paid players un the sport before he even took to the pitch. Dominating England in the air, the ultra athletic utility back had a masterful attacking outing at Allianz Stadium as Joe Schmidt’s side re-entered the Australian sporting consciousness as a genuine international contender following years of darkness.

Asher Opoku Fordjour – England
Earmarked from a long way, the former England U20 star has all the makings of becoming the best tighthead in professional rugby. Earning high praise from England legend Joe Marler last season who said, “There is a young tight-head that has come off the bench for Sale and he’s – mmm… [tasty]. I have got a big thing about young, up-and-coming front-rowers – [like] Fin Baxter for us. But this guy, number 18, I like the look of.” Named on the bench for England this week to face Japan, the Sharks star will be a household name by this time next year.

From the U20s to the senior set-up, this is Asher Opoku-Fordjour, who is set to make his Test debut off the bench on Sunday#ENGvJPN | #AutumnNationsSeries

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 22, 2024

Chandler Cunningham-South – England
If you didn’t know, now you know! The Harlequins backrow is a freakishly special player who has been the standout in what has been a dismal November for Steve Borthwick’s side. Similar to the Springboks’ Pieter-Stepth Du Toit in both stature and style of the play, Cunningham-South is an X-factor operator in the English pack.

Nicolas Depoortère- France
Currently on the injury report courtesy of a disastrous tackle from Perpignan centre Apisai Naqalevu. The rangy centre has already garnered comparisons to the great Yannick Jauzion, and for good reason. Exceptionally intelligent with his running lines and a true bruiser in defence, Depoortère is regarded as the long-term replacement for Gael Fickou in the French midfield.

Lenni Nouchi – France
Making his debut on ‘the kid’s tour’, where France overturned Argentina in the first of their two tour matches before everything, both on and off the pitch, went to hell. To emphasise how good Nouchi is, even when Les Bleus lost the second test, his stats read as tackles (26), dominant tackles (2), and turnovers won (2). Although France are blessed in the backrow with a spread of world-class operators, Nouchi is one for the future as Fabian Galthie’s squad build towards the 2027 World Cup.

Sam Prendergast – Ireland
Irish Rugby’s worst-kept secret made his debut in a solid showing against a truly special Los Pumas side at the Aviva Stadium. Replacing Jack Crowley who despite what the Dublin centric media wrote was superb for the bulk of his time on the park, Prendergast looked assured when he came onto the pitch. Still a few years off being the finished article with a clear need to add bulk to his frame, the Leinster flyhalf has been likened to Johnny Sexton and for good reason.

Cormac Izuchukwu – Ireland
Named in Ireland’s squad for this weekend’s clash with Fiji, the Ulster utility forward has been a revelation over the past twelve months. Shifting from the secondrow to the backrow under new provincial coach Richie Murphy, the 6’7″ and 120kg powerhouse has all of the potential to be Ireland’s long-term solution in the number six shirt. Exceptional in the carry, monstrous in defence and highly intelligent in how he reads the game, Izuchukwu is the real deal and head coach Andy Farrell knows it.

Wallace Sititi – New Zealand
Hands down the player of the year for the All Blacks, there was plenty of debate around Scott Robertson selecting him ahead of Hoskins Sotutu but oh boy has he repaid the faith. Already a world-class player in his first season of international rugby, Sititi’s ability to read the game and have the physicality to impose his will on the opposition is truly unique. Offering an offloading threat and, more importantly, an ability to do the basics perfectly, Sititi feels like the next great All Black backrower.

Freddy Douglas – Scotland
Becoming Scotland’s youngest cap since Donald White in 1963 when he came off the bench to make a 15-minute cameo in the 59-21 win at Murrayfield, the openside was called out for special praise by head coach Gregor Townsend. Not looking one bit out of place, the backrow made his international debut before featuring for his club Edinburgh, which tells you all you need to know about how highly rated he is in the Scottish coaching set-up. A former Shot Put champion, Douglas is one of the few recent Scottish U20 players to have a real shot at becoming a star for the senior team in the coming seasons.

Cameron Hanekom – South Africa
Putting to rest the media-driven debate about whether he would play for Wales or the Springboks this week, the Bulls number eight confirmed it was always his dream to wear the green and gold. Since bursting onto the scene for the Pretoria-based franchise, Hanekom has become one of the most dominant loose forwards in the URC. Similar in style to the rangy Pierre Spies but with a better skillset that was more in line with Bob Skinstad, Hanekom will make his debut against Wales this weekend and, if things continue, will be the Bok’s first choice number eight by this time next year.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu – South Africa
Currently on the injury report, the Stormers playmaker took The July Series against Ireland and the subsequent Rugby Championship by storm! Earmarked since his school days as a future international, Feinberg-Mngomezulu is the future for the Springboks at flyhalf. Combining all of the tricks of Manie Libbok with the big match temperament, kicking ability, and physicality of Handre Pollard, the 22-year-old will become an all-time great injury permitting.

Josh Hathaway – Wales
Branded as Louis Rees-Zammit 2.0 we have a feeling he will be better than his former Gloucester teammate. In short, Hathway is electric, with the 21-year-old Hartpury College product being a target for both Wales and England. Choosing the land of his birth, Hathaway is going to be a key player for the men in red as they look to climb out of a historically bad run of form. Capable of creating magic from nothing, Hathaway brings x-factor that a side is in desperate need of a spark.

Eddie James – Wales
If Hathaway is LRZ 2.0, then James is George North 2.0! At 6’4″ and 110kg, James has the potential to be a gainline wrecking option for Wales going forward. Blessed with exceptional pace and power, James faces stiff competition in an area where Wales have several intriguing options. Yet, with all of his ability, it’s hard to see how he won’t become a key figure in the Welsh set-up for years to come.