Ethan Hooker: 'I'll even play prop if it helps the Springboks'

While Hooker believes his strongest position is still as an inside centre, he says he has come to enjoy playing out on the wing since learning how to compete for the high balls effectively.

"I always felt comfortable at 12. I feel like that's my position. I definitely used to have a preference, but I feel like I've found my feet a bit more at wing.

"Now I actually have no preference. I'm just happy to be on the field. I used to hate it. Obviously, coming from centre to wing, I'd never caught high balls before.

"But once I started to get good at the aerial skills, I started to love wing."

Hooker now relishes the prospect of chasing kicks and winning possession back as a wing for the Springboks because it is such an important part of their gameplan.

"It's no secret the kicking game is a big part of our system. It's there to generate momentum," he said.

"In defence, there are like 15 guys standing in a line and the only space is behind, and the only way to get there is to kick the ball there.

"So we take it seriously, the aerial skills. I pride myself on it. It's important to be good at it."

Versatility has become a valuable currency for head coach Rassie Erasmus and Hooker says he is willing to play in whatever position is asked of him.

"I'm easy. I'll play wherever I'm needed, even prop, whatever helps the team reach their goal," he said.

"I played mostly at 12 at school, and now I like to think I'm versatile and can play wing and centre. I like the fact that I can play multiple positions."

The 23-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise through the South African rugby system, from idolising Springbok players at the 2019 Rugby World Cup as a schoolboy to now being able to call many of those same players teammates and friends.

"It's unreal. I was in Grade 10 watching the World Cup in Japan, and now I'm greeting a lot of those guys in the morning, and playing with them in the afternoon," he said.

"But I think I'm over that phase now. Now they're my mates, but it's still hard to believe."

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