Canan Moodie in action at the World Cup. Photo: @Springboks/X.
Could a “next gen” Springboks backline look like this?
As the Springboks head towards the next four-year World Cup cycle, we take a look at what a youthful “next gen” backline could look like.
Canan Moodie in action at the World Cup. Photo: @Springboks/X.
Although the Springboks have regularly faced criticism for being too reliant on a dominant forward pack, there is no doubt that the team has made some big strides on evolving their attacking play, while a host of talented young backline players have been coming to the fore.
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Notably, the vast majority of the recent World Cup winning backline players will still be young enough to make it to the next World Cup, but there is also a “next gen” of youthful players who will be able to back them up.
With this in mind, we take a look at what a ‘second tier’ backline could look like to offer youthful and talented alternative options, and it does make for interesting reading.
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Impressive back-up young talent available for Springboks
“Next gen” Springboks backline: 9 Jaden Hendrikse (age: 23), 10 Jordan Hendrikse (age: 22), 11 Canan Moodie (age: 21), 12 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (age: 21), 13 Henco van Wyk (22), 14 Tyrone Green (age: 25), 15 Damian Willemse (age: 25).
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HOW THINGS COULD LOOK FOR THE BOKS BETWEEN NOW AND 2027:
Ages at 2027 RWC of current Springbok backs: 9: Faf de Klerk 35 / Jaden Hendrikse 27 / Grant Williams 31; 10: Handre Pollard 33 / Manie Libbok 30; 11: Cheslin Kolbe 33, 12: Damian de Allende 34 / Andre Esterhuizen 33; 13: Jessse Kriel 33 / Lukhanyo Am 33, Canan Moodie 23; 14: Kurt-Lee Arendse 31; 15: Damian Willemse 29
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Ages at 2027 RWC of current Springbok forwards: 1: Steven Kitshoff 35 / Ox Nche 32; 2: Bongi Mbonambi 36 / Malcolm Marx 33, 3: Frans Malherbe 36 / Vincent Koch 37, 4: Eben Etzebeth 35 / RG Snyman 32, 5: Franco Mostert 35 / Jean Kleyn 34 / Marvin Orie 34, 6: Siya Kolisi 36 / Marco van Staden 32, 7: Pieter-Steph du Toit 35 / 8: Jasper Wiese 31 / Kwagga Smith 34
Ultimately, it does highlight how there will need to be a changing of the guard in the next couple of years.
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