Five Springboks likely to be dropped for next Test

The Springboks suffered a disappointing defeat to the All Blacks in Auckland this past weekend, which is almost certain to mean that New Zealand will walk away with the Rugby Championship crown.

With the tournament shortened to just one round, the Springboks will look to bounce back when they face Argentina on 29 July, but there is almost certain to be some key team changes.

Below, we take a look at which players are likely to be ‘dropped’ for the next Test.

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Makazole Mapimpi

The Springbok wing was one of the players who seemed to be a bit off against the All Blacks, and it comes at a time when Kurt-Lee Arendse has shot the lights out at the start of his Test career. It will be interesting to see whether the Springboks opt to start their strongest side against Argentina, with Mapimpi likely to make way for Arendse on the left wing.

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Damian Willemse

It won’t be a case of ‘dropping’ Willemse, but it does seem that ‘experiment’ of playing him at flyhalf might be put on the backburner for a bit. For the final Test of the Rugby Championship, you can expect a specialist flyhalf like Manie Libbok to reclaim the No 10 jersey.

Jasper Wiese

The powerful No 8 endured a night to forget against the All Blacks, and may have to wait until the World Cup warm-up games to receive another opportunity for more game time. Ultimately, there is good reason to expect Duane Vermeulen to start at eighthman against Argentina.

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Kwagga Smith

The openside flank worked tirelessly against New Zealand, but it often feels as if he is best deployed as a member of the bomb squad. I’d expect Marco van Staden or Deon Fourie to be given a chance in the No 6 jersey against Argentina.

Bongi Mbonambi

Mbonambi has started both Tests in the Rugby Championship to date, and after an uncharacteristically off colour performance in New Zealand, it’s likely that a form of ‘rotation’ will come into effect as Malcolm Marx should be expected to take over in the No 2 jersey later this month.

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HERE IS HOW THE SPRINGBOKS-ALL BLACKS TEAMS LINED UP:

All Blacks – 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith; 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Subs: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Dalton Papali’i, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Braydon Ennor, 23 Caleb Clarke.

Springboks – 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.