A combined Springboks and Wallabies XV ahead of the Rugby Championship opener at Loftus Versfeld

Dylan Coetzee
Rugby Championship: Split with Springboks Steven Kitshoff, Willie le Roux and Wallabies Koroibete

The opening round of the 2023 Rugby Championship has finally arrived and begins with a blockbuster Test between the Springboks and Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld.

With both sides having named their matchday squads, Planet Rugby has put together a combined XV for the clash.

Combined XV

15 Willie le Roux (South Africa): The veteran has often copped criticism from Bok fans but over the last year has proved just how important he is to the attacking output of the side. His creativity is crucial to what the Boks do in how he pops up as first receiver as the second playmaker in the team. Australia’s Tom Wright has a lot of potential but Le Roux’s experience and influence trump the Brumby.

14 Kurt-Lee Arendse (South Africa): The flyer is starting on the left wing for the Boks but we could not resist having him in our side. Arendse’s start at Test level has been simply sensational with seven tries in as many matches. He is a true game-breaker and will be desperate to prove that he deserves a starting spot. In what looks to be an exciting backline, he could well be a try-threat at a ground he knows so well.

13 Lukhanyo Am (South Africa): We are still yet to see the silky centre reach his lofty standards since returning from his long-term injury but it would be silly to count out the superstar. Am’s nous on both defence and attack makes him such an effective player to have on any team. As one of the coolest customers in the game, he will be hoping to shine yet again in the green and gold.

12 Andre Esterhuizen (South Africa): A big chance awaits the Harlequin on Saturday as the hulking South African partners with his former Sharks teammate. The robust running centre has been sublime in the Premiership but his form has never translated completely to Test level – something he will be looking to change as he tries to force his way onto the plane to France. As a specialist 12, he pips the versatile Reece Hodge to our side.

11 Marika Koroibete (Australia): The Wallaby has been right up there with the best wings in the world for a couple of seasons and was an obvious pick. Koroibete is a physical runner with impressive pace and an instinctual eye for the try-line. To say he is a threat would be an understatement. The former league man is one of the most important players in Eddie Jones’ set-up.

10 Quade Cooper (Australia): Interestingly both teams have selected very attacking fly-halves and whilst Manie Libbok has shown promise, the Wallaby veteran’s experience and proven Test quality get him the nod. Cooper looks to be a key part of Jones’ plans and he brings X-factor and flair in abundance. The playmaker holds a more mature head than he once did and it will make for interesting viewing on Saturday.

9 Nic White (Australia): Another veteran takes up a key role in the Wallabies set-up and he, like his half-back partner, will be hugely important for his country on Saturday. White’s leadership has grown in recent times whilst his distribution is always crisp and his kicking game sound. He needs to fire for the Wallabies to do the same. Cobus Reinach brings boatloads of X-factor but White’s importance and experience earn him selection.

Mixed pack

8 Rob Valetini (Australia): There is no doubting the quality of Duane Vermuelen but the veteran has not played a Test for some time and the form of the Brumbies star is impossible to ignore. Valetini has been one of Australia’s top performers for the last two years and provides a great deal for his team on both sides of the ball. He will no doubt be at his industrious best on Saturday in a titanic match-up.

7 Michael Hooper (Australia): The great Wallaby was an easy choice for our openside flanker. He has been there and thereabouts as one of the best in the world for most of his career. As experienced as they come both as a player and a leader, Hooper’s influence on the game is massive. He is another component of Jones’ side that needs to fire for the Wallabies to even think of their dream of a “smash and grab” World Cup. That starts on Saturday.

6 Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa): Speaking of an important component that needs to fire, for the Boks it is the tireless blindside. When Du Toit is firing it gives the South Africans an extra edge through his impressive work-rate that is laced with physicality. He is an easy selection over the debutant Tom Hooper, who will face the veteran World Cup winner at the first time of asking.

5 Will Skelton (Australia): The simply monstrous second-row simply barged the door down and through his form made it impossible to ignore selection. He is such a physical player owing to his 2,03m and 140kg frame. Skelton has been sublime for La Rochelle and with his experience there is no doubt this will clearly translate onto the Test scene.

4 Jean Kleyn (South Africa): The second-row is living a modern-day rugby fairytale as he is set to make his second Test debut, but this time for his country of birth. Speaking this week about looking up to the great Bakkies Botha growing up shows how it means to him. Kleyn has been sensational for Munster and deserves a chance in every sense. His current form and the occasion itself earn him a spot ahead of Nick Frost.

3 Frans Malherbe (South Africa): ‘Buffel’ is the first pick for just about any combined XV in Test rugby. Malherbe is a master scrummager and is well-trusted by the Boks management for great reason. He may not be the most mobile but he is a committed defender but above and beyond his role is to provide a platform for the Boks to run with.

2 Bongi Mbonambi (South Africa): The 32-year-old has been one of the game’s premier hookers for the most part of his just over 50 caps. His scrummaging is sneaky good, adding to his carrying ability and pin-point line-out throwing. Between his experience and his consistency, he earns selection on our side.

1 Steven Kitshoff (South Africa): The make-up of the week for the veteran prop changed significantly as he went from nearly boarding a plane to New Zealand to starting this weekend. His world-class quality means he will not only manage the change but excel in his starting role. ‘Spicy Plum’ is a South African great and he will be out to prove that again this weekend.

READ MORE: Eddie Jones names four debutants in his first Wallabies team to face the Springboks

Australia Kurt-Lee Arendse Pieter-Steph du Toit Quade Cooper Will Skelton

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