WATCH: Springboks attract 8000 fans into stadium during open TRAINING session

The Springboks brand has never been more valuable than it is right now. That much was evident on Thursday when the South African Test team managed to draw a crowd of over 8000 people during one of their training sessions in Toulon.

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While many South Africans back home were still reeling from the the news of Malcolm Marx’s tournament-ending injury, the Springboks seemed to have shrugged off the setback quickly as they appeared cheery and jovial as they entered the Stade Mayol pitch through the tunnel.

Led by captains Siya Kolisi and Bongi Bongi Mbonambi, the Springboks played to the crowd with song and dance before starting their on-field session.

FOR CONTEXT: The 8000 supporters that came through the gates to watch the Springboks train in France, were more than the meagre crowd that came out in support of Bafana Bafana in their match against Namibia in Gauteng on Saturday.

QUESTION | Do the Springboks have sufficient hooker cover?

WATCH THE SPRINGBOKS OPEN SESSION BELOW:

Almost 8000 people at Toulon’s Stade Mayol for @Springboks open training session before departing for Bordeaux. 15 minutes into training that main stand was almost full @SuperSportTV @SSRugby pic.twitter.com/mOUOGVHIrJ

— Matt Pearce (@MattP555) September 14, 2023

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SOUTH AFRICAN TEAM TO FACE ROMANIA IN BORDEAUX:

15 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 88 caps, 65 pts (13t)
14 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 6 caps, 0 points
13 – Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 8 caps, 20 pts (4t)
12 – Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins) – 14 caps, 0 pts
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 39 caps, 115 pts (23t)
10 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 34 caps, 41 pts (3t, 4c, 4pg, 2dg)
9 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 27 caps, 45 pts (9t)

8 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 71 caps, 15 pts (3t)
7 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 34 caps, 30 pts (6t)
6 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 15 caps, 0 points
5 – Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers) – 14 caps, 0 pts
4 – Jean Kleyn (Munster) – 4 caps, 0 pts (Ireland 5 caps)
3 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 46 caps, 0 pts
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 63 caps, 65 points (13t)
1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 22 caps, 0 points

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Replacements:
16 – Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers) – 7 caps, 0 pts
17 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 77 caps, 10 points (2t)
18 – Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92) – 63 caps, 5 points (1t)
19 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 29 caps, 5 points (1t)
20 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 24 caps, 5 points (1t)
21 – Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 13 caps, 12 pts (2t, 1c)
22 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 50 caps, 46 points (5t, 3c, 5pg)
23 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 63 caps, 70 points (14t)

BREAKING NEWS: Malcolm Marx ruled out of Springboks’ Rugby World Cup campaign