Exclusive: Rising Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg Aiming to Secure Springbok Spot Ahead of 2027 Rugby World Cup

His rise to Springbok rugby has been steady without being meteoric, but the timing of scrumhalf Morne van den Berg’s selection could not have been better.

At just over two years before the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Van den Berg will be one of the fringe players in the Springbok squad hoping to cement a place in the team in the busy international season ahead.

The Lions scrumhalf is coming off a good season in the United Rugby Championship and Challenge Cup, and with Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus focussing on squad rotation, it means the nuggety number nine could be in for some good game time in the green and gold. 

Van der Berg is likely fourth in line at scrumhalf behind Faf de Klerk, Grant Williams, and Jaden Hendrikse in the current squad. 

At 27, though, only Hendrikse is younger than Van den Berg as the road to the 2027 Rugby World Cup shifts into focus.

Dedication at Springbok Training Camp

Being part of the Springbok training camp ahead of a busy international season starting with a clash against the Barbarians on June 28, is something that creates a few butterflies in the stomach of Van den Berg.

“It’s been an incredible two weeks. The men are really working very hard. The plans are very exciting. So, yes, the levels are out of the park,” Van den Berg told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview at an SA Rugby Union announcement of new Bok Town fan viewing venues for the upcoming season.

“For me, I just want to serve the Springboks. Whether it’s on the training field, whether it’s on the field, I’m open to anything if the Boks need that."

“The dream is to get more caps. But the goal, like I said, is to serve the system. To really work hard, to play every weekend, to make sure that you’re ready for every game.”

Van den Berg’s Focus on the Present

Since Van den Berg is not yet a fixture in a powerful Springbok side, he cannot afford to pin his hopes on making it to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

“At this stage, it’s week by week. I think it will be a mistake to look so far ahead in terms of goals. Obviously, it will be such an incredible honour to be a part of that. But for now, my focus is just here and now, at this moment, to be the best that I can be."

“Yes, it’s been incredible. It’s been a dream. It’s been a dream and at times it felt very far, but just to be able to be part of the squad, to have been able to play for the Springboks. It’s been incredible. I definitely have to pinch myself sometimes.”

Springbok Backline Legends

Though the Springbok dynasty is better known for its bruising bunch of forwards, there have of course been more than a few world-class backline players from Joost van der Westhuizen to Willie le Roux, and Van der Berg explained he was inspired by some of the very best.

“Definitely at first, my inspiration was Bryan Habana. I think if you watched him, he was just electric."

“And then Fourie du Preez was world-class, one of the best to ever do it."

“And then just, I was a big Lions supporter growing up, so Rickie January, I was also a big fan of him and Andre Pretorius. So they’ve quite shaped my career and are the players that I look up to.”