LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy

Bears eyeing South African talent as Rhinos ready for RLWC26 qualifier

The Rhinos will be directed by Kam Cryer, a playmaker from Corrimal, marking his seventh international outing. He will team up in the halves with Coby Thomas, recognized as North Sydney Bears' player-of-the-year.

In 2020, Beukes relocated from South Africa to Melbourne to participate in a trial with the Storm, but his aspirations for an NRL contract were thwarted by COVID-19.

Nonetheless, Campbell, who identified Beukes for the Storm, believes that the 22-year-old outside back still has potential. He noted that the new NRL franchise is closely monitoring South African talent.

Alongside Beukes, who represents the Harlequins club in Gauteng, the squad also features Marcell Corneelson, an interchange forward from the South African domestic league.

Beukes and Corneelson were part of a group of nine players who traveled from South Africa to Sydney for upcoming matches against Niue on Tuesday night and the Cook Islands on Sunday.