Opinion: Predicted 33-man Springbok squad for the Rugby World Cup

Dylan Coetzee
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Rugby World Cup: Springboks split with Kolisi, Snyman and Libbok

The 2023 Rugby World Cup in France is rapidly approaching and it is already less than 100 days until the first game of the global showpiece.

With such little time remaining, Planet Rugby has a go at predicting who will be named in the squads for the tournament. Next up is the Springboks.

Utility back

Talented Stormers star Damian Willemse can already start learning French as he is a certainty in the World Cup squad, provided he is fit. His versatility is beyond valuable for head coach Jacques Nienaber with the star able to play full-back, fly-half and inside centre making the 6-2 split on the bench possible. Having a player who can do it all opens up so much room for the coaches to select their 33-man squad.

Back three

Willemse will likely compete primarily for the full-back role with Willie le Roux who is the only other specialist 15 in the squad. The two provide different options for the coaches.

Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie have all played full-back too but will likely compete with Makazole Mapimpi for one of the two starting spots on the wings.

While, there is talent and skill aplenty in this area for the Boks, it is all about finding the right balance in the back-three according to the opposition and the game plan.

Centres

The starting combination is pretty much cut and dry with Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am expected to continue their partnership through to the World Cup.

Jesse Kriel will be the third and final option given that Willemse can cover 12 as well. It will be slightly harsh on Andre Esterhuizen who has been brilliant in the Premiership, but the balance of the starting combination and versatility elsewhere in the squad keeps him out.

Fly-halves

This was a real sore spot for the Boks last season and much was learnt from it. Handre Pollard will certainly be on the plane provided he is fit. The World Cup winner is an integral squad member both on and off the field.

He will be joined by Stormers star Manie Libbok who has had limited chances on the Test scene but will likely get some game-time in the build-up to the tournament. A secure secondary fly-half option will be critical.

Willemse spent most of 2022 in the 10 jersey and it came together against England in their final Test of the year. The other two should be preferred to him but this is another reminder of the strength in his versatility.

Scrum-halves

World Cup-winning veteran Faf de Klerk is going to France and will likely start. The main challenger he has had for the starting role has been Jaden Hendrikse who will also be on the plane given he recovers from his shoulder injury in time.

The debate is more around the third scrum-half which will likely be Cobus Reinach who has the experience and sheer pace as his X-factor. The coaches may be tempted to call on Herschel Jantjies given his combination with Libbok at the Stormers but for us, he is behind Reinach in the pecking order.

Grant Williams is unlikely to go to France but his rapid pace and try-scoring nature is something to think about for the management. However, one could argue Reinach’s attributes cancel him out.

Utility forwards

The tireless Franco Mostert is a certainty for the World Cup given his experience and versatility. Nienaber can use him in the second-row or on the blindside flank as a replacement/alternative for Pieter-Steph du Toit. Kwagga Smith also travels to France and may have elevated importance should Siya Kolisi not recover in time for the event.

Fine wine Deon Fourie will be in the squad because of his ability to operate as a third hooker as well as his unrivalled ability to turn over the ball. It will be interesting to see how he is used in the build-up to the global showpiece in France with Siya Kolisi sidelined for the Rugby Championship and World Cup warm-up games.

Back-row

Leicester Tiger Jasper Wiese has firmly grabbed the number eight jersey and has only gotten better meaning he will rightly be in the squad alongside veteran Duane Vermeulen. The influence of the experienced star cannot be understated and the reports of him being considered for a coaching role in the Springbok set-up once he retires underlines that. He may not start every game but he will be a key figure.

It may not have been the season that Evan Roos wanted as he was sidelined for a big part of that but the star’s attributes and standing with the Bok management remain. The Rugby Championship and warm-up games will likely provide him with the chance to underline his spot in the World Cup squad.

Du Toit is a sure bet. Since his move to the blindside flank from lock he has been irreplaceable. The flanker will certainly be in the squad. He will be looking for improved influence on games after a 2022 season below his lofty standards.

The biggest concern of all is Kolisi’s fitness. The inspirational skipper underwent knee surgery and is in a race against time. The flanker is a massive influence on the squad and his leadership is an incredible asset. On the field, he, at times, leads the dominant defence through his physicality. The Boks will be praying for him to return to full fitness.

If Kolisi cannot play, Marco van Staden will travel. The star is an accomplished Test player but plays more towards the ball than his captain. It is going to be interesting to see who the management sees as their starter for Kolisi during the Rugby Championship.

Second-row

The great Eben Etzebeth is already asking for extra legroom on his flight as he is a core leader of the group. His combination with Lood de Jager will continue as the first-choice pair whilst Stormer Marvin Orie has shown tremendous maturity in his game over the last year earning him a ticket to France. Orie’s line-out management is also a key attribute.

Perhaps the biggest boost is the return of RG Snyman. The United Rugby Championship winner has been sublime since returning from injury for Munster. He is extremely physical and could play a massive role off the bench as he did in 2019. He offers the kind of impact as a replacement which the Boks have arguably been missing since their World Cup win in Japan.

Front-row

Nienaber is absolutely blessed with stocks in this area, allowing him to pick and choose for the most part. The powerful scrummager Frans Malherbe is a certainty as is the mobile Vincent Koch. France-based Trevor Nyakane is an attractive option given his ability to play on both sides of the scrum. His familiarity with French conditions is a bonus and he will be in the squad.

Hooker is an interesting one. The world-class duo of Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx could feature in just about any of the World Cup squads and will be there. Nienaber will be tempted to not go with a third hooker due to Fourie’s versatility. Joseph Dweba has been good but he has not knocked the door down, while his line-out throwing may prove costly and we do not expect him to go to France.

The ability of Nyakane to play both sides means only two looseheads are needed. Steven Kitshoff and Ox Nche are two absolutely incredible options and are certain picks.

Planet Rugby’s 33-man Springbok squad

Backs: Damian Willemse, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, Damian de Allende, Lukhanyo Am, Jesse Kriel, Handre Pollard, Manie Libbok, Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach

Forwards: Jasper Wiese, Duane Vermeulen, Evan Roos, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (Marco van Staden), Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Deon Fourie, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Marvin Orie, RG Snyman, Frans Malherbe, Vincent Koch, Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Ox Nche

READ MORE: Opinion: We pick England’s likely 33-player squad for the Rugby World Cup

Features Eben Etzebeth Siya Kolisi

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