Is this one of the most exciting Springbok backlines ever?

The Springboks’ 2023 Test season will officially get under way when they swing into Rugby Championship action against the Wallabies at Loftus this Saturday. Kick off is at 5.05pm.

Although the coaches have mixed and matched in terms of selection, it shouldn’t go unnoticed that they have selected what is undoubtedly one of their most exciting and attacking backlines.

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In Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok at halfback, the Springboks will boast speed to burn like never before, with both players offering an extreme threat with ball in hand. Although there will be a clear kicking game plan that they will be asked to execute, there is no doubt that when attacking opportunities present themselves, these two players have all the qualities to strike.

In the midfield, Andre Esterhuizen has markedly evolved his attacking game after making the move to English club Harlequins, while Lukhanyo Am is arguably the best outside centre in world rugby.

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Then when it comes to the back three, veteran Willie le Roux will pull the attacking strings from fullback, while Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie are two of the most exciting rugby players on the South African landscape.

Keeping in mind that speedster Grant Williams and side-stepping maverick Damian Willemse are the backs on the bench, and it paints the picture of a Springbok team that arguably boasts one of the most exciting backline divisions fielded in recent memory.

Springboks team – 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 Steven Kitshoff.
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.

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SPRINGBOKS’ RECORD AGAINST AUSTRALIA:

Played 92; Won 49; Lost 40; Drawn 3; Points for: 1 817, Points against: 1 641; Tries scored 212, Tries conceded 168; Highest score 61-22; Biggest win 45 points. Win % 53%.

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MILESTONES:

• The Springboks have won all seven Test matches between the teams at Loftus Versfeld since 1963.
• The Springboks need two penalty goals to score 200 penalty goals against the Wallabies.
• Duane Vermeulen will lead the Springboks for the third time in Saturday’s Test – he led the team on two occasions in 2019 against Argentina and New Zealand.

MISCELLANEOUS:

• The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 448.
• There are 163 caps in the backline, with 285 caps among the forwards. On the bench there are a further 119 caps.
• The average caps per player in the backline is 23, the forwards 35, while the players on the bench average 14

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