10 Springboks started the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup finals, can you name them though?

The Springboks defended their Rugby World Cup crown in 2023, as we all know. But do you know the 10 players who started the final in 2019 in Japan and the 2023 final in Paris?

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SPRINGBOKS SURVIVORS

Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Siyamthanda Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Faf de Klerk, Handre Pollard, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe are the men in question. It points to a seriously impressive level of continuity that 66.6% of those who started in Yokohama also started in the showpiece four years later.

ICYMI: The EIGHT Springboks who started the 2019 final and 2023 semi-final

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RASSIE ERASMUS IS THE GOAT

It’s crazy to observe how much value Rassie Erasmus adds either as a head coach or Head of Rugby. We all know about his infamous ability to get into the heads of opponents. It’s so legendary that the Springboks even made a song about it, to the tune of The Cranberries’ song “Zombie” which they serenaded him with after their epic Rugby World Cup triumph on Saturday. It wasn’t always going to be this way though. In September 2017, South Africa was mauled 57-0 by New Zealand on one of their darkest days. Just two years later they pulverised England into submission with a scoreline of 32-12 in the World Cup final. This group was moulded in Rassie’s image and they are a formidable group of human beings. The scale of this achievement can’t be put into words. What a team.

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Meanwhile, hit up James Freemantle for more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game

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