Springbok rugby hooker position explained

The hooker (number 2) sits in the middle of the front row and hooks the ball backwards with their foot in the scrum once the scrum-half feeds it in. At lineouts, the hooker throws the ball in, one of the most technically demanding roles on the pitch. In open play, hookers carry hard and work at the breakdown, requiring incredible strength, agility, and fitness alongside exceptional scrummaging ability.