The Springboks line up for the national anthem. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Springbok’s World Cup Guide: Key players, Wild Cards, Unexpected Heroes
The ultimate guide to South Africa’s Rugby World Cup campaign.
The Springboks line up for the national anthem. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
The Springboks are looking to defend their title, Here’s everything you could want to know about the Men-in-Green-and-Gold.
Captain: Siyamthanda Kolisi | Head Coach: Jacques Nienaber | Rankings: 3 | RWC Pool: B
WELCOME BACK SIYA KOLISI 😍 #WALvRSA pic.twitter.com/CIOmNEc6To
— Darren (@SaffasRugby) August 19, 2023
BOKS’S POOL FIXTURES
- Scotland: Sunday, 10 September
- Romania: Sunday, 17 September
- Ireland: Saturday, 23 September
- Tonga: Sunday, 1 October
WORLD CUP PREVIOUS RESULTS
South Africa are the most successful World Cup team of all time with 3 wins in 7 tournaments
- 1987: N/A
- 1991: N/A
- 1995: CHAMPIONS
- 1999: THIRD
- 2003: QUARTERS
- 2007: CHAMPIONS
- 2011: QUARTERS
- 2015: SEMIS
- 2019: CHAMPIONS
Champions lift in slow mo. Congratulations @Springboks!#ENGvRSA #RWCFinal #WebbEllisCup pic.twitter.com/U3PeNZt9G6
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 2, 2019
ALSO READ: Waiting game nearly over for Springboks’ nine standby players?
SPRINGBOK WORLD CUP SQUAD
Props: Steven Kitshoff(75), Vincent Koch(46), Frans Malherbe(62), Ox Nche(20), Trevor Nyakane(61)
Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi(61), Malcolm Marx(62),
Second Row: Eben Etzebeth(112), Jean Kleyn(3), Marvin Orie(14), RG Snyman(27)
Back Row: Pieter-Steph du Toit(70), Siya Kolisi (76), Kwagga Smith(33), Marco van Staden(13), Duane Vermeulen(70), Jasper Wiese(23)
Utility forwards: Franco Mostert(66), Deon Fourie(7)
Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk(48), Jaden Hendrikse(13), Cobus Reinach(26), Grant Williams(5)
Fly Halves: Manie Libbok(8), Damian Willemse(32)
Centres: Damian de Allende(73), Andre Esterhuizen(13), Jesse Kriel(62)
Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse(9), Cheslin Kolbe(26), Willie le Roux(88), Makazole Mapimpi(38), Canan Moodie(7)
Total Caps: 1239
STAR PLAYERS
Here’s a list of some of the stars to keep an eye on:
- Siya Kolisi: Bok skipper will play a massive role both in leadership and with his abrasive style.
- Willie le Roux is the Boks defensive and attacking organiser, all rugby happens under his critical eye.
- Eben Etzabeth: Kolisi’s best friend and lieutenant, Eben will be his dangerous self this World Cup.
ALSO READ: Why is Handre Pollard not playing for the Springboks?
UNEXPECTED HEROES
Libbok is going to have his part to play during this World Cup, it’s make or break for the lone flyhalf, his Stormers teammate Willemse is also coming of age and can change momentum of the game on a dime. Expect the dangerous Moodie will be in for a haul of tries this World Cup as he looks to add to his try count.
Canan Moodie with a Man of the Match performance against Wales as he pushes to be first choice for the Springboks pic.twitter.com/pyg9kem4CO
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) August 19, 2023
STRENGTHS
The Boks strengths rely on their set piece, with 2 sets of World Cup quality front rows. Coupled with the addition of their silky backs, if everything works, Boks could be dangerous.
ALSO READ: Rugby World Cup 2023: FIVE bold predictions
WEAKNESSES
Injuries could still play a major factor in the Boks RWC campaign, as well as being weeks out from the World Cup they have not decided on their best first choice kicker yet, If it’s Libbok, improvement needs to be made.
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 14, 2023
Can the defending champs go back-to-back in France? Let us know in the comments below.
