Springbok management to give NINE players a last chance to make the World Cup! 

The Springboks finished their Rugby Championship campaign as runners up to the All Blacks, for a second year in a row, after a 22-21 win over Argentina on Saturday.

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The game at Ellis Park was far from a convincing performance from the Springboks, who never got going against a dogged Argentina side.

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Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids spoke about how they would have to fight till the last minute if they were to beat Argentina, and that was certainly the case. The game was overshadowed by a nasty blow to the deal to Grant Williams, with the scrum half having to be stabilised and driven off the field with a concussion in the first minute of the game. Now after labouring to a one-point victory in the end, the Springboks are set to go again next week, as they travel to Argentina for the first of their warm-up games ahead of the Rugby World Cup. 

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Coach Jacques Nienaber announced a 26-man Springbok squad for that Argentina Test and while a lot of the supposed first choice players will remain home, the travelling party comprises of some players who are desperate to prove their World Cup squad credentials. Here is a look at nine players who are realistic playing for their seat on the plane to France. 

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1. Trevor Nyakane– Featured for the first time during the Rugby Championships on Saturday, coming off the bench. Thomas du Toit had surprisingly been more involved than him prior, which might hint that his place might not be as nailed down as many would’ve thought. One would think he is due a start against Argentina on the weekend.
2. Thomas du Toit– Nyakane was taken to the 2019 World Cup ahead of of du Toit, but both ended up getting World Cup medals, as du Toit replaced Nyakane due to injury. Du Toit has been fantastic for the Sharks since and has been rewarded with more Springbok involvement this year. Should he feature, he will be looking to further convince Nienaber of his credentials for France. 
3. Marvin Orie- Orie is a player that will not let you down, in terms of the basics and offers leadership. But it is evident that the Springbok management are huge fans of what RG Snyman has to bring. With the Bok options at five lock set to be Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert, Snyman could be ahead of Orie due to his physical nature as well as his bomb squad role at the 2019 World Cup. The Stormers star will see this as a last chance to change the coaching staff’s minds. 
4. Joseph Dweba– A third hooker in the squad, but Dweba has only been involved in one match day squad. The big Stormers man came off the bench against Australia and is set to feature again against Argentina next week. It is set to be a straight shootout for third choice hooker between him and union teammate, Deon Fourie. 
5. Deon Fourie– With captain Siya Kolisi set to recover in time for the World Cup, the battle for alternative open side flankers has heated up. Marco van Staden and Kwagga Smith all played ahead of Fourie in the Rugby Championships, which could suggest that his best chance of making the Springbok World Cup squad is by being a utility forward who covers both flank and hooker. 
6. Jean-Luc du Preez– With the amount of lose forwards in the squad, it was always going to be a tough ask for du Preez to crack into this Springbok squad. He is set to feature for the first time against Argentina next week, but one feels he would have to perform out of his skin to make the World Cup squad.
7. Evan Roos– Only involved once, against Australia from the bench during the Rugby Championship, Roos is another one who has his work cut out for him. He has a good chance to start against Argentina and will need to have a phenomenal game to boost his Springbok World Cup credentials.
8. Herschel Jantjies – Currently fifth choice scrum half, the 2019 World Cup winner does not seem likely to play for the Springboks at the 2023 edition. But who knows what a strong showing against Argentina can do.
9. Andre Esterhuizen– Found himself overlooked in 2019 and has seen phenomenal growth since. His time playing in Europe has developed his skill set and after his monstrous performance against Australia, he may have just proven his credentials as a Damian de Allende challenger. Another big game against Argentina could rubber stamp his Springbok World Cup place.