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The Springboks World Cup XV that has South African fans worried
A potential 2023 Springboks XV posted online has South African fans worried as next year’s World Cup approaches.
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The team shared by Twitter user Oom Rugby is almost exactly the same as the 2019 side that played the final.
The only changes to the starting side come in the front row, with Ox Nche in at loosehead prop for the retired Tendai Mtawarira and tighthead prop Trevor Nyakane replacing Frans Malherbe, who drops to the bench.
The only other new face on the bench is Damian Willemse, who was part of the 2019 World Cup squad and takes the No 23 jersey from Frans Steyn.
RWC 2023 team is shaping up nicely…
le Roux
Kolbe
Am
De Allende
Mapimpi
Pollard
Faf
Duane
PSdT
Kolisi
Lood
Etzebeth
Nyakane
Mbonambi
NcheKitshoff, Marx , malherbe , Mostert, Smith, Reinach , Jantjies , Willemse
— Oom Rugby (@Oom_Rugby) April 12, 2022
The predicted team was met with disdain from Springboks fans, with some quick to conclude that having the same side does not bode well as history has shown.
The 1991 All Blacks were widely criticised for being too old, as coaches Alex Wyllie and John Hart tried to keep the ’87 champion team together. They subsequently suffered to a semi-final defeat to eventual champions Australia.
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Similarly, the world champion 2007 Springboks side went on a dominant two-year run after their World Cup success only to run out of puff by 2011, managing just one win from four games in the Tri Nations, including two losses to the Wallabies.
When they met a third time in the World Cup quarter-final, Australia completed a third victory to send the defending champions out of the tournament.
The All Blacks did manage to repeat as champions, claiming the 2011 and 2015 World Cup titles, but with a vastly different sides.
In the backs, Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Richard Kahui, Aaron Cruden and Piri Weepu all started against France in the 2011 final, but were replaced by Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea, Dan Carter and Aaron Smith four years later respectively.
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There were also changes up front, with front rowers Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu replaced by Joe Moody and Dane Coles, while Brodie Retallick filled the void left by the retired Brad Thorn at lock.
Only seven starters from 2011 had retained their positions for the 2015 final, with over half the starting side changing over that World Cup cycle.
After seeing the potential 2023 Springboks team, South African fans made dire predictions for their side at next year’s World Cup in France on the basis of historical results from teams that have undergone minimal changes between tournaments.
We’re going to get shattered simply because we don’t have an exciting and flexible backline. Okes that will be stagnant and conservative will have a problem against these new emerging squads from England, France, Italy etc bc the young ayers there take risks and wanna jol.
— Malandela (@SMalandela_) April 12, 2022
History tells us that to play (largely) the same team in consecutive RWC has never worked in the past – or will 2023 be the exception that proves the rule?
— Theo Vorster (@sakegesprek) April 12, 2022
Disagree. Don’t think we can use (almost) the same 23 to win back-to-back. Some of these players are on the back-end of their international careers now already, and its still 18 months. Need to add some new blood and get them some Bok time. #Gallant #Libbok #Louw #DuPreez #etc
— Gus (@gustavdetroch) April 12, 2022
They are making the same mistake as many defending champion teams.
— AlbertTheBrain (@AlbertTheBrain1) April 12, 2022
Looks virtually identical to the 2019 team which tells me that the Boks won’t win the next RWC. History has shown that teams that don’t inject new players between RWCs become stale. Even the great 2015 AB team had 8 new starters from the 2011 RWC winning team.
— AJK (@stuck_toilet) April 12, 2022
If we start the same 15 as the wc final, that shows no progress. No new talent tearing it up. Le roux can surely be replaced, Smith and mostert also no longer the best options. 3 spots id use to bring in new faces
— Kaptein (@KapteinKakhuis) April 12, 2022
Should this projected XV come to fruition, only three players be under the age of 30, and not one player would be under the age of 27, which would make it one of the oldest teams.
The projected ages for the starting forward pack in November 2023 would be Duane Vermeulen (37), Siya Kolisi (32), Pieter-Steph du Toit (31), Lood de Jager (30), Eben Etzebeth (32), Trevor Nyakane (34), Bongi Mbonambi (32) and Ox Nche (28).
In the backs: Willie le Roux (34), Cheslin Kolbe (30), Lukhanyo Am (29), Damian de Allende (31), Makazole Mapimpi (33), Handre Pollard (29), Faf de Klerk (32).
Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber made it clear last week that many of those players can make it to France, even Vermeulen, who will be the oldest member of the squad.
“We honestly believe Duane can still make France 2023. We honestly believe Pieter-Steph can still make 2023, we still believe Siya Kolisi can make France 2023,” he said.
“When I say, ‘We still believe’, that’s saying there aren’t big injuries; that’s saying they perform on the field and they do the main thing.
“The main thing is you must play rugby well on Saturday, so if they perform on the field and play like they are currently doing, we believe they can go to France 2023.”
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
6 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
6 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments