World Cup race over? Springbok backs who lack game-time

There are just two games to go against Argentina before the Springboks finalise their 33-man World Cup squad, which will be announced on Tuesday, 8 August.

By now, the Springbok coaches will already be at least 95% sure of what that squad will look like, but there are two games for final selection plays to be made.

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In the second article of a two-part series, we take a look at the backs from the wider training group who have yet to receive much action in the Rugby Championship, with time having virtually run out in the race to earn World Cup consideration.

Herschel Jantjies: The Stormers halfback has yet to receive an opportunity in the Rugby Championship, and is effectively now the fifth-choice scrumhalf in the wider squad. World Cup chances: Zero.

Cobus Reinach: He started in the first game against Australia, but didn’t quite have his best game. Reinach may receive an opportunity against Argentina in Buenos Aires, but he’s now in a race of sorts against Grant Williams and Jaden Hendrikse. World Cup chances: Marginal.

Andre Esterhuizen: The big centre enjoyed one of his best game in a Springbok jersey against the Wallabies. It’s done wonders for his World Cup chances, but it remains to be seen if the Bok coaches feel the need for specialist inside centre back-up to Damian de Allende. World Cup chances: Marginal.

Jaden Hendrikse: An injury has ruled him out of the entire Rugby Championship, but he should be ready in time for the World Cup, and the Springboks may be willing to gamble on him considering the success he enjoyed last year. World Cup chances: Good.

Jesse Kriel: The much maligned outside centre has an opportunity to prove his doubters wrong by producing a standout performance against Argentina this Saturday. With very little cover at 13, he does hold value to the Springboks. World Cup chances: Good.

Makazole Mapimpi: The veteran wing endured an off day in his one start against the All Blacks, and with the meteoric rise of Kurt-Lee Arendse, he actually needs a big performance in Buenos Aires. World Cup chances: Still strong, but not as secure as once presumed.

Canan Moodie: The versatile utility back started against Australia, but made a few uncharacteristic errors. It could come down to a choice between him or Mapimpi for the World Cup. World Cup chances: Marginal.

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HOW THE SPRINGBOKS HAVE LINED UP DURING THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Springboks v Wallabies – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Damian Willemse.

Springboks v All Blacks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21 Duane Vermeulen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.

Springboks v Argentina – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8  Duane Vermeulen (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Lukhanyo Am, 23 Damian Willemse.

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BOKS TRAINING SQUAD:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Stade Francais), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92).

Hookers: Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks).

Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks), Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers), RG Snyman (Munster), Jean Kleyn (Munster).

Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (Ulster), Jasper Wiese (Leicester).

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Utility Forwards: Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat).

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Elton Jantjies (Agen).

Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls).

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