The Springboks – Who Is on the plane to France 2023

If Springbok rugby players were stocks on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), then certainly some depreciated, some gained and some became a nonexistent crypto currency. One is hopeful that no one found themselves being likened to a version of the Zimbabwean dollar.

The year 2022 has come and gone, so has the Springboks season, 2023 will come and so will Rugby World Cup. The Springboks played 14 tests in 2022 and won nine of  them. The opponents in the autumn included Ireland, France and England, teams favored to do well at Rugby World Cup 2023, this gave the Springboks a chance to measure their progress after an iffy Rugby Championship in 2022.  

It is important to take stock of some notable players in the context of the Springboks and find out if they did themselves any favors. 

Green: unless injury happens, they are certain to be on the flight to France and all the coaches are happy about their Springbok performances.

Amber: things are not where they need to be, eyebrows will not be raised if they are left behind but good enough justifications can be made.

Red: like the Boks under Alister Coetzee, life is not great, a miracle the size of the Atlantic is needed to convince the coaches they deserve a seat on the flight to France.

We start with those who  began the year without absolute certainty but have certainly cemented their place.

Kurtley Arendse: It’s not only his finishing abilities that have made him a regular in the Bok jersey, but his ability to drive men twice his size back in contact.  One can clearly see that  Arendse will search for activities to do in France.

Canan Moodie: Has been Dubbed the next JP Pietersen, a fourteen who has all the attributes to become a world beater. Jake White has prophesied that he will definitely play 100 caps in the green and gold of South Africa.

Jaden Hendrikse: Apart from loose forward and right wing, scrumhalf has probably become the most competitive position, Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach, Herschel Janties and now Jaden Hendrikse. He has played in some tough encounters for the Springboks. He is arguably the number two after de Klerk. Him and de Klerk are certain travelers, the question is who is going to join them.

The next three are in limbo and need to produce performances of the ages to have a chance, probably were outdone by either injury or the emergence of a new talent.

Trevor Nyakane: Loved for his swinging ability, but it could be that swinging that has made his position a bit shaky. Frans Malherbe is playing like he is 20 and Vincet Koch has never looked more secure with Thomas du Doit providing necessary cover, Nyakane will need to go beyond his personal best to force his way into the squad

Herschel Jantjies: Following his worst season since his emergence, Jantjies has looked less assured at the base of the ruck. Jaden Hendrikse and Grant Williams have put pressure on him, Paul de Wit at the Stormers has kept him on his toes. Jantjies needs to be that player of 2019 to remind the Bok coaches that he deserves a second successive Rugby World Cup.

Mannie Libbok: A greener orange because of both his United Rugby Championship form and his cameo appearances when he ran on for the Springboks. He did his chances a lot of favors but will need to keep bashing on the door as Springbok coaches are not susceptible to change. I am a Libbok fan but he got to play because Handre Pollard was injured. I do hope he does make it because of his ball playing abilities and his recent assurance from the tee.

The last three are not going to France. Barring a miracle they would hope that those in their positions lose form or get injured.

Elton Jantjies: Nothing more to be said here. If the Bok coaches are willing to experiment at ten, Mannie Libbok has probably taken the second fly-half slot and Damien Willemse has proven that he can play there too. His recent signing for a lower league French team probably tells the story of where Elton now belongs in the pecking order.

Warrick Gelant: The Boogie man decided to exclude himself from selection during the November internationals. In came Kurtley Arendse and Cannan Moodie to the fold that already has Frans Steyn, Damian Willemse and Willie Le Roux. Warrick Gelant did not look assured in that Wales test series and worked himself out of the team, opting to stay at his club instead of fighting for his jersey did not assist his already lost cause. 

Aphelele Fassi: Popularly known as the weekend special, he has not been that special in defense. If you kick a tree in South Africa, a loose forward or an outside back will come out. Fassi is one of those  that will emerge. His tackling has been poor and his decision making at the back has not been great for a player of his caliber. Fassi only has a chance if the Boks are ravaged by injury. As it stands, he is spending his weekends come October 2023 in Durban, rather than Paris.

The Springboks will hope to improve from the learnings of 2022 and roll into Rugby World Cup as confident as they can be for their title defense in France.