Predicting the Springboks side that will face the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup final
Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber and fly-half Handre Pollard.
With the 2023 Rugby World Cup final set to take place in Paris on Saturday, we’ve taken a stab at predicting South Africa’s team to take on New Zealand.
There’s just two changes to the starting side from the semi-final while a bench tweak sees an extra forward added, as both teams look for a fourth global title.
Predicted Springboks team to face All Blacks
15 Damian Willemse: There’s an argument for the more experienced Willie le Roux coming in for such a high pressure fixture but we feel Willemse has done enough during the tournament to keep his place, with Le Roux again a handy option off the bench. Willemse also covers fly-half which we’ll explain below.
14 Kurt-Lee Arendse: An unusually quiet outing from the electric Arendse in the semi-final as, like the rest of South Africa‘s backline, they had little or no ball to work with against England. Arendse has nailed down the number 14 shirt and his battle with All Black Mark Telea is going to be worth the entrance fee alone.
13 Jesse Kriel: Another to struggle to have any attacking input last weekend but Kriel should keep his spot despite Canan Moodie and Lukhanyo Am waiting in the wings. He barely got his hands on the ball but defended stoutly against England, with his midfield relationship with Damian de Allende set to be key.
12 Damian de Allende: A guaranteed starter again as De Allende faces off with Jordie Barrett, a player whose impact the Springbok centre needs to limit.
11 Cheslin Kolbe: Much like Arendse, it was a quiet day at the office against the English, but let’s hope we see plenty of Kolbe versus Will Jordan this weekend in what is a box office clash. Kolbe and Arendse will be desperate to recapture their best form and the neutral wants to see all four wingers on fire in Paris.
10 Handre Pollard: Our first change from the Springboks’ semi-final XV and it is Pollard in for Manie Libbok, who could well drop out of the squad altogether. The coaching box was chaotic to say the least early on last week and a bench tweak, plus Pollard’s strong shift, is likely to see Libbok relinquish the 10 spot.
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9 Faf de Klerk: We also expect a change at scrum-half where De Klerk could come in for Cobus Reinach. Reinach, who started both knockout games thus far, struggled against England and De Klerk may get the nod. The latter being a thorn in Aaron Smith’s side on several occasions is another reason to start him.
8 Duane Vermeulen: The Springboks coaching team have gone for experience at eight in the quarter and semi-final and we don’t expect them to change their thinking for the final. Jasper Wiese would add an injection of legs if Vermeulen is struggling after two massive games but otherwise he should retain his spot.
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit: A player who has recaptured his World Player of the Year form during this tournament, the seven jersey is the tireless Du Toit’s.
6 Siya Kolisi (c): The ultimate team man who is not fazed about being replaced early in the piece. Kolisi knows everything is for the team and will once again play around 55 minutes before he heads to the bench for the nervy closing stages. Could this be Kolisi’s final international game in the green and gold?
5 Franco Mostert: Another forward retaining his spot will be Mostert, who put in an impressive 18 tackles against England in a busy 80-minute showing.
4 Eben Etzebeth: Strange to see the powerful lock replaced so early in a game but it was another call that paid off as RG Snyman shone in the second period. Expect a fired-up Etzebeth to release any frustration over last week’s semi-final performance from the off in the final as he looks to have more of an impact.
3 Frans Malherbe: A nailed-on starter week after week when it comes to the business end of the World Cup. Malherbe’s battle with Ethan de Groot is set to be key, as will the tussle on the other side of the scrum. Malherbe provides such stability but knows De Groot will be a similar challenge to Joe Marler.
2 Bongi Mbonambi: In the headlines right now following an alleged comment he made in Tom Curry’s direction, the only recognised specialist hooker in the Bok camp is crucial to their hopes of retaining their crown. He takes on the leadership role when Kolisi comes off in the second half and is a key player.
1 Steven Kitshoff: The ‘Spicy Plum’ should keep his spot ahead of the Boks’ semi-final hero, Ox Nche. Nche will hope to enjoy a similar cameo this week after Kitshoff has emptied the tank in the number one jersey. His final game before moving to Ulster, will Kitshoff arrive with a World Cup winner’s medal?
Replacements
16 Deon Fourie: Came on in the back-row last week but we feel the Boks will revert to the 6-2, which could mean biding his time before replacing Mbonambi.
17 Ox Nche: Has done exceptionally well off the bench in recent weeks and the Springboks coaching team will hope for more of the same from the loosehead.
18 Vincent Koch: Another huge final 25 or so minutes for Koch awaits as the veteran will look to use all his experience against the young Tamaiti Williams.
19 RG Snyman: Another of the bench heroes of last week, Snyman provided South Africa’s only two offloads in the whole match against England. A giant.
20 Kwagga Smith: Such a dynamic forward who is similar to Ardie Savea in his ability to fight through contact. Smith’s cameo could be vital in Saturday’s final.
21 Jasper Wiese: Here comes the bench tweak with Wiese the extra forward. Jean Kleyn just misses out as we think an extra back-row option is coming.
22 Cobus Reinach: Drops to bench duty this weekend after not having his best game against England. De Klerk, as mentioned, gets under the All Blacks’ skin.
23 Willie le Roux: If Pollard can’t last the full 80 minutes it’s likely Willemse will move to fly-half as Le Roux comes on. That means no spot for Libbok in the 23.
