Springboks: last-minute Rugby World Cup bid for these FIVE men?

For these Springboks, there is just two games (one for some) to stake a last-minute claim for a spot in Jacques Nienaber’s 33-man Rugby World Cup squad.

MUST READ – SPRINGBOKS: FULL LIST OF PLAYERS AT RISK OF MISSING THE RUGBY WORLD CUP

Nienaber will be naming his 33-man Springboks squad for the Rugby World Cup on 08 August 2023.

Meaning, the players on the fringe of selection only have the back-to-back fixtures against Argentina to make a last-minute impression of the Bok selectors.

ALSO READ: SPRINGBOKS: THREE OUT! GOOD AND BAD NEWS ON RUGBY WORLD CUP CHANCES! – UPDATE

QUINTET SET TO MAKE LAST-MINUTE BID FOR SPOTS

Trevor Nyakane and Jesse Kriel will make their first appearances for the Springboks this season when they run out against Argentina at Ellis Park on Saturday, 08 July 2023. Therefore, for both players, this is an opportunity to prove that they can add significant value to the Boks title defence in France.

After all, both men were a part of the side that lifted the William Webb Ellis Cup in Japan in 2019.

READ: OPEN LETTER TO NIENABER AND RASSIE #2: DROP REGULARS, START KURT-LEE ARENDSE!

ALSO READ: OPEN LETTER TO NIENABER AND RASSIE: START THE BOMB SQUAD!

However, there are players who may only get an opportunity in the Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Argentina on 5 August 2023.

This is a mere three days out from selection. Therefore, the likes of Joseph Dweba, Jean-Luc du Preez, Jaden Hendrikse, Herschel Jantjies may only have one match to stake their claim.

READ: EIGHT SPRINGBOKS LIKELY TO BE GIVEN FINAL RUGBY WORLD CUP CHANCE VS ARGENTINA

Dweba is expected to be on the plane to France. However, for du Preez and Jantjies it does not look good.

The explosive flanker is currently behind the likes of Pieter-Steph du Toit with Franco Mostert playing a huge part of the South Africa’s recent success.

HENDRIKSE’S SPRINGBOKS SPOT UNDER MASSIVE THREAT

Furthermore, Hendrikse’s situation is touch and go. He started several key matches for the Springboks last year. Including their famous 26-10 triumph over the All Blacks in Mbombela as while as respective tests against Argentina in Beunes Aires and world number one side, Ireland in Dublin. Unfortunately, he as sidelined after for large parts of the URC season.

In his absence, Grant Williams has emerged. In his was named in the URC team of the tournament after his 10 tries in the competition. He is lighting fast and a threat in broken play, putting Hendrikse’s spot under jeopardy with Faf de Klerk and Cobus Reinach favoured to make the cut.

ALSO READ: SPRINGBOKS – PLAYERS WHO HAVE TO START IF WE ARE TO DEFEND OUR RUGBY WORLD CUP

ALSO READ: LIST OF SPRINGBOKS LEAVING SA AND RETURNING AFTER THE RUGBY WORLD CUP