Surprise selections for first Springboks Test of the year?

The Springboks will play three Tests in the abbreviated version of the Rugby Championship, starting with a clash against Australia, which takes place next weekend.

This will then be followed by battles against New Zealand at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland (Saturday 15 July) and Argentina at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg (Saturday 29 July).

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The team will then play three Rugby World Cup warm-up games – against Argentina in Buenos Aires (5 August), Wales in Cardiff (19 August) and New Zealand in London (25 August) before travelling to Corsica for a one-week camp en route to Toulon for their opening Rugby World Cup fixture against Scotland on Sunday 10 September.

As the Springboks consider all their squad options for these crucial games in the build-up to the World Cup, there is set to be a careful balancing act when it comes to team selection.

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For the first up battle against Australia, it’s understood that there will still be some big-name players involved against Eddie Jones’ charges.

According to Sunday newspaper Rapport, the likes of Willie le Roux, Lukhanyo Am, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen and Bongi Mbonambi will form the spine of the team.

Meanwhile, fully-fit first-choice No 10 Manie Libbok will reportedly start alongside Cobus Reinach at halfback, while Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie will be on the wings.

IS THIS WHAT THE FIRST SPRINGBOKS TEAM OF THE YEAR COULD LOOK LIKE?

All things considered, the starting XV at Loftus Versfeld may be as follows: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi and 1 Ox Nché.

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All in all, it’s still a very strong side, with a mix between Springbok regulars and a few ‘fringe’ players.

* Let us know by clicking on the comment button at the end of this article if you feel this is what the first Test team of the year could look like?

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SPRINGBOKS TRAINING SQUAD:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Stade Francais), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92).

Hookers: Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks).

Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks), Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers), RG Snyman (Munster), Jean Kleyn (Munster).

Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (Ulster), Jasper Wiese (Leicester).

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Utility Forwards: Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat).

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Elton Jantjies (Agen).

Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls).

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SA 2023 FIXTURES:

Castle Lager Rugby Championship:

Saturday, 8 July – Springboks vs Australia (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)

Saturday, 15 July – Springboks vs New Zealand (Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland)

Saturday, 29 July – Springboks vs Argentina (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)

RWC warm-up fixtures:

Saturday, 5 August – Springboks v Argentina (Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires)

Saturday, 19 August – Springboks vs Wales (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)

Friday, 25 August – Springboks vs New Zealand (Twickenham, London)

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RWC fixtures:

Sunday, 10 September – Boks v Scotland (Stade Marseille, Marseille)

Sunday, 17 September – Boks v Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)

Saturday, 23 September – Boks v Ireland (Stade de France, Paris)

Sunday, 1 October – Boks v Tonga (Stade Marseille, Marseille)

Weekend of 14/15 October – Quarter-finals

Weekend of 21/22 October – Semi-finals

Saturday, 28 October – Final

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