World Cup race: Springbok forwards who’ve hardly played in 2023

There are just two games to go against Argentina before the Springboks finalise their 33-man World Cup squad, which will be announced on Tuesday, 8 August.

By now, the Springbok coaches will already be at least 95% sure of what that squad will look like, but there are two games for final selection plays to be made.

In the first of a two-part series, we take a look at the forwards from the wider training group who have yet to receive much action in the Rugby Championship, with time having virtually run out in the race to earn World Cup consideration.

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Thomas du Toit: The powerful prop was on the bench for the first two games of the Rugby Championship, but has now fallen out of the matchday 23 as Trevor Nyakane gets his chance. World Cup chances: Marginal

Trevor Nyakane: The popular front rower has somewhat fallen out of favour recently, and his return to the bench for this Saturday’s game against Argentina is the first time he will feature in the Rugby Championship. World Cup chances: Marginal, probably a shoot out between him and Du Toit as the ‘swing prop’.

Ox Nche: An injury ruled him out of the Rugby Championship, but he should still be ready for the World Cup. World Cup chances: Still strong.

Gerhard Steenekamp: Called up to provide cover for the injured Nche, and there has not been an opportunity for him yet. World Cup chances: Zero.

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Joseph Dweba: The abrasive forward has featured only in the first game of the season against Australia, and is still short of game-time. However, he is still seen as the important third-choice hooker. World Cup chances: Still strong.

Lood de Jager: He looked a bit out of sorts in a starting role against the All Blacks, but will undoubtedly receive more game-time in the warm-up games. World Cup chances: Excellent.

Jean Kleyn: The former Irish international enjoyed a solid debut against Australia, but has not featured in the matchday squad since then. World Cup chances: Slim.

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Evan Roos: The Stormers star featured off the bench against the Wallabies, and has not featured since. World Cup chances: Slim.

Siya Kolisi: An injury ruled him out of the Rugby Championship, but he should still be ready for the World Cup. World Cup chances: Still strong.

Jasper Wiese: Another player who was out of sorts in a brief showing against the All Blacks, but there’s no doubt he is still very much in the World Cup picture. World Cup chances: Still strong.

Jean-Luc du Preez: Rather strangely has not received an opportunity despite his call-up to the Springboks. World Cup chances: Zero.

Deon Fourie: The veteran received a brief opportunity off the bench against Australia. Although he hasn’t been picked since then, he could still be seen to have a World Cup role. World Cup chances: Marginal

Franco Mostert: Picked to start at blindside flank against the All Blacks, and struggled to make much of an impact. However, as a utility forward, he will be viewed as a World Cup asset. World Cup chances: Still strong.

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How the Springboks have lined up during the Rugby Championship

Springboks v Wallabies – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Deon Fourie, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Damian Willemse.

Springboks v All Blacks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21 Duane Vermeulen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.

Springboks v Argentina – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8  Duane Vermeulen (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Lukhanyo Am, 23 Damian Willemse.

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BOKS TRAINING SQUAD:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Stade Francais), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92).

Hookers: Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks).

Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks), Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers), RG Snyman (Munster), Jean Kleyn (Munster).

Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (Ulster), Jasper Wiese (Leicester).

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Utility Forwards: Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat).

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Elton Jantjies (Agen).

Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls).

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