Is THIS the Springbok team to face Tonga on Sunday 1 October?

The Springboks are preparing to face Tonga in a must-win Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool B encounter in Marseille on Sunday, 1 October.

Kick-off is at 21:00 (SA time).

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Coach Jacques Nienaber will officially name his 23-man squad later on Wednesday, but we think we know the identity of his starting XV!

Handre Pollard to start for the Springboks

Don’t be surprised to read that this is the team to do battle.

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15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Kwagga Smith, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 RG Snyman, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Ox Nche

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If that is indeed the side, the big news will be the inclusion of Handre Pollard.

One would expect that Pollard will have a number of conversion attempts to dust off any cobwebs he might have kicking at poles at the highest level.

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Do you like the look of that starting XV?

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