Jacques Nienaber

SA Rugby will reportedly reward SA-based players by fielding a Springbok squad of local players for their final 2022 end-of-year tour Test. Photo: Albert Perez/Getty Images

ICYMI: Springboks to select SA-based squad to face England – report

SA Rugby will reportedly reward SA-based players by fielding a Springbok squad of local players for their final 2022 end-of-year tour Test.

Jacques Nienaber

SA Rugby will reportedly reward SA-based players by fielding a Springbok squad of local players for their final 2022 end-of-year tour Test. Photo: Albert Perez/Getty Images

In case you missed it … the biggest rugby news over the weekend was the news that SA Rugby will reportedly reward South Africa-based players by fielding a Springbok squad of exclusively local players for the final Test on their 2022 end-of-year tour.

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According to Sunday’s Rapport, only Mzansi-based players will be considered for the match against Eddie Jones’ England at Twickenham on Saturday, 26 November, as it falls outside of World Rugby’s official Test window.

This means that the Springboks will likely be without the majority of their first-choice, overseas-based players for the clash, unless prior arrangements can be arranged with their clubs.

It also means a larger than usual squad will make the trip to Europe later this year.

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It’s worth remembering that England too will most likely be without a number of their first-choice players as well.

Why that blockbuster of a clash was scheduled for outside of World Rugby’s official Test window in the first place is somewhat baffling.

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The Springboks are also scheduled to play Ireland, France and Italy on their four-match 2022 end-of-year tour.

Springboks affected by the decision include, among others, Malcolm Marx, Joseph Dweba, Trevor Nyakane, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Rynhardt Elstadt, Jean-Luc du Preez, Dan du Preez, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese, Duane Vermeulen, Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach, Handré Pollard, Elton Jantjies, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel and Willie le Roux.

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In preparation for the clash against England, the Springboks may opt to field more local players than usual in less important or ‘dead’ Tests throughout the year.

Rapport suggested that three other Tests in 2022 have been earmarked to prepare the team.

Those matches are likely to be the third and final Test of the series (in SA) against Wales on 23 July – should the Springboks have already won the series making that match a dead-rubber.

Then, the Rugby Championship Test against Argentina on 24 August and the Test against Italy a week before the Springboks face England, have also been circled in the calendar.

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There have been growing calls – led by Bulls director of rugby Jake White – to do away with the ‘have your cake and eat it’ rule currently in place which sees SA Rugby pick an unlimited number of overseas players to represent the Springboks.

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England and New Zealand have the opposite rule in place and only reward those players who remain loyal to playing in their country and turn down the chance to earn pounds, euros, yen etc to stay home in the hope of pulling on the England or All Blacks jersey.

Springbok squad could still be competitive

Although the Springboks match-day squad to face England (and those aforementioned other three Tests) will primarily comprise local players, it potentially could still have an exciting mix of experience and youth.

Those currently eligible (unless they sign for an overseas club in 2022) include: Steven Kitshoff, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Thomas du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Marvin Orie, Herschel Jantjies, Jaden Hendrikse, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian Willemse, Frans Steyn, Lukhanyo Am, S’bu Nkosi, Warrick Gelant, Aphelele Fassi, Johan Grobbelaar, Ruan Nortjé, Salmaan Moerat, Elrigh Louw, Evan Roos, Grant Williams and Jordan Hendrikse.

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It’s worth noting that 15 of the 23 Springboks who played – and lost 27-26 – to England at Twickenham on the 2021 end-of-year tour would not be eligible 12 months later under this new decision.