Springboks: The one bolter we expect to start first Test of 2023

The Springboks will soon head into camp to continue intensive preparation for the opening Rugby Championship Test of the year against Australia on 8 July, with the three games in the tournament set to effectively provide a final opportunity for the coaches to finalise the 33-man World Cup squad, which will be unveiled in early August.

It’s unlikely that the coaches will make many surprise selections, especially considering that director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has already stated that the World Cup squad is mostly finalised in their minds already.

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Yet, it shouldn’t be overlooked that Eben Etzebeth is set to miss the Rugby Championship due to a serious injury picked up while playing for the Sharks. This could prove to be a blessing in disguise, though, as an opportunity now opens up for someone else to expand the depth at No 4.

With Salmaan Moerat also still sidelined, there is the possibility that the likes of Jason Jenkins or Ruben van Heerden may be considered, but, against all odds, RG Snyman could be fast-tracked to replace Etzebeth.

Although Snyman has only just returned to action for Munster after a nightmare battle with injuries, he has quickly been getting back up to speed, and the Springboks will certainly need to give him a run as soon as possible to see if he could be of value at the World Cup.

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Just this past weekend, Munster coach Graham Rowntree raved about the efforts of Snyman during a memorable win over the Stormers.

“That was his first start for us in the URC, for a significant period. His performance was huge. He was constantly involved on both sides of the ball. Of course, he is a huge presence in the set piece and the maul, on both sides of the ball.”

Ultimately, if the 28-year-old can maintain his fitness and form over the next few weeks, there is every reason to believe he will be the ‘bolter’ to start for the Springboks in the first Test of the year.

Our predicted Springboks run-on XV – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Subs: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Duane Vermeulen, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Willie le Roux.

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*Let us know in the comments section who you would pick in your preferred Springboks’ matchday 23 if everyone was fit!

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SPRINGBOKS’ 2023 FIXTURES:

Rugby Championship:
Saturday, 8 July – Springboks vs Australia (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 15 July – Springboks vs New Zealand (Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland)
Saturday, 29 July – Springboks vs Argentina (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)

RWC warm-up fixtures:
Saturday, 5 August – Springboks v Argentina (Buenos Aires)
Saturday, 19 August – Springboks vs Wales (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
Friday, 25 August – Springboks vs New Zealand (Twickenham, London)

RWC FIXTURES:

Sunday, 10 September – Boks v Scotland (Stade Velodrome, Marseille)
Sunday, 17 September – Boks v Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)
Saturday, 23 September – Boks v Ireland (Stade de France, Paris)
Sunday, 1 October – Boks v Tonga (Stade Velodrome, Marseille)

Weekend of 14/15 October – Quarter-finals
Weekend of 21/22 October – Semi-finals
Saturday, 28 October – Final

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