Bok Springboks centre pairing Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am in action. Photo: Morgan Treacy/INPHO/Shutterstock/BackpagePix

Bok centre pairing Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am in action. Photo: Morgan Treacy/INPHO/Shutterstock/BackpagePix

Springbok combinations: Current generation top the charts!

A key to the Springboks’ success has been the consistency in selection over the last four years, as evidenced by the statistics.

by Craig Lewis

17-04-2024 15:10

in Springboks

Bok centre pairing Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am in action. Photo: Morgan Treacy/INPHO/Shutterstock/BackpagePix

Over a period between 2009 and 2023, the Springboks have won two World Cup titles, a British & Irish Lions series as well as a Rugby Championship crown.

During this golden era, Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus has built and retained a core group of ‘warriors’, with the squad having remained largely intact over the last few years.

Taking a look at the most consistent combinations in Springbok history, props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe lie second in the all-time list for props who have started together in the front row.

In terms of the second row, Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager are second – having started together 39 Tests, while in third place there is another current combination of Etzebeth and Franco Mostert.

When it comes to flank combinations, Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit (34 Test starts) are top of the pile.

At halfback, Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard – who started in the 2023 World Cup final – are the all-time leading Springbok combination at 9-10 (25 Test starts together).

The connections continue, with Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel having started together on 28 occasions – second on the list, just between Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie. De Allende and Lukhanyo Am have also combined in 28 Tests.

Out wide, Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe are join third on the list (14 Tests).

The current generation of Springboks are blazing a trail

Across the entire front row, Kitshoff, Malcom Marx and Malherbe are second on the all-time list (17 Tests together), while the back row trio of Duane Vermeulen, Kolisi and Du Toit is also second (16 starts together, just one behind the leading trio of Francois Lous, Willem Alberts and Duane Vermeulen).

Finally, when it comes to the back three combinations, Mapimpi, Kolbe and Le Roux have started together 12 times, second on the all-time list.

All in all, it’s clearly evident why the Springboks have dominated world rugby in big matches over the last few years, with the consistency, experience and familiarity of key combinations undoubtedly playing a huge role.