Springboks: 10 players in line for Rugby World Cup debuts – LIST

The Rugby World Cup is around the corner and these TEN Springboks are all in line to get their first taste of rugby’s greatest showpiece.

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Jacques Nienaber will be naming his 33-man Springboks Rugby World Cup squad on 8 August 2023. These ten players have proven their worth over the passed four years. Unfortunately, only eight are likely to make it but all ten Bok stars are still in with a shout.

We take a look at the players likely to make their RWC debuts in France…

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TEN SPRINGBOKS IN LINE FOR RUGBY WORLD CUP DEBUTS

• OX NCHE
• JOSEPH DWEBA
• MARVIN ORIE
• DEON FOURIE
• MARCO VAN STADEN
• JASPER WIESE
• JADEN HENDRIKSE/GRANT WILLIAMS
• MANIE LIBBOK
• CANAN MOODIE
• KURT-LEE ARENDSE

FORWARDS WHO HAVE BASHED DOWN THE SELECTION DOOR

This list features 11 players because it is likely to be a straight shoot out between Jaden Hendrikse and Grant Williams for one of the three scrumhalf berths with Faf de Klerk the only certainty at the scrumhalf. So, Ox Nche is set to step up for his first World Cup. He has been frequently rotated with Steven Kitshoff with both men playing a key part of Nienaber’s plans.

Therefore, if he remains fit he will certainly earn his RWC debut. Dweba is also the clear third choice Bok hooker. The fact that he was given a rare start against the All Blacks in Johannesburg last year as part of Nienaber’s plans for the World Cup indicates that he is likely to be selected as our third hooker.

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ORIE AND VAN STADEN COULD MISS OUT BUT THERE’S HOPE

Marvin Orie is in line to achieve this feat. However, he could miss out if RG Snyman hits his strides given that Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager are the first choice lock pairing. Furthermore, Franco Mostert has been a key part of the Bok set-up for many seasons and he offers more as a utility forward.

Fourie has been monstrous for the Stormers. He earned his call-up to the national side last year, becoming the oldest Bok debutant in history. Moreover, given his scintillating form in the URC, he will almost certainly achieve his dream of represent the Boks in the RWC.

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Bulls powerhouse flanker van Staden is currently in line to finally play in the RWC. In 2019, he was unlikely to miss out. Unfortunately, if Siya Kolisi is fit this might be the case again with Kwagga Smith, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Fourie and Mostert slightly ahead of him in the pecking order. However, he is in the Rugby Championship training squad and he could bash the selection door open during this time.

Wiese has been arguably the Boks best forward find of the passed few years. Since stepping up for Bok legend Duane Vermeulen in the British & Irish Lions series, he’s quickly stablished himself as the first choice Bok Eighthman. Ironically, now he could be the man replacing Vermeulen in the starting line-up of this year’s RWC.

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HEALTHY HEADACHES IN THE BOK BACKLINE

Five talented scrumhalves will battle it out for three RWC spots with Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams and Herschel Jantjies all in the running having been selected in Nienaber’s Rugby Championship training squad. Only Hendrikse and Williams have no RWC experience and they are likely to battle it out to earn this right during the Rugby Championship and RWC Springboks warm-up matches.

Finally, Manie Libbok has played his way into becoming Handre Pollards back-up. He has been the URC top point-scorer for two successive seasons and his form has Bok fans across the country talking. Moodie is one of the most promising young talents in SA Rugby. However, it is hard to see him selected ahead of Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi and Arendse. Finally, Arendse was probably the Boks best find last season and in recent years. In fact, he will even have the likes of Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe stressing about their positions in the starting line-up.

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