Five toughest World Cup selection decisions for Springboks
The Springboks coaches will face several healthy selection headaches as they look to settle on the matchday 23 for the World Cup opener.
South Africa will launch their Rugby World Cup title defence on Sunday, 10 September, against Scotland in Marseille, which will be followed by pool matches against Romania in Bordeaux (17 September), Ireland in Paris (23 September) and Tonga in Marseille (1 October).
Ahead of these games, we take a look at five huge selection decisions that must be made.
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SPRINGBOKS’ WORLD CUP CONUNDRUMS
Who should start at No 12?
Andre Esterhuizen has been outstanding at inside centre every time he received an opportunity this year, with the burly midfielder quite rightly spoken of as an ‘agent of chaos’.
A real case could be made for him to challenge Damian de Allende for the No 12 jersey.
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Shake-up to the bomb squad
This past weekend, an enforced ‘bomb squad’ bench adjustment saw seven forwards and just one back selected after the late injury withdrawal of Willie le Roux.
Could the coaches really consider gambling on such a strategy considering Kwagga Smith can play wing in an emergency? It’s unlikely, but it will still be interesting to see whether they go with a five-three or six-two split on the bench.
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How best to accommodate Canan Moodie
There is no doubt that prior to the World Cup, the one player who has put his hand up for selection more than anyone else is Canan Moodie. When considering what good form he is in, the coaches will surely want to see him in their matchday squad for the big World Cup games.
It’s unlikely that Moodie will be considered at outside centre so early in his career, but the debate will be over whether he should start on one wing, or be used off the bench as a utility impact player.
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Duane Vermeulen or Jasper Wiese at No 8?
The Boks are blessed with world-class options at No 8, and while Jasper Wiese was seen as the first-choice No 8 last year, veteran Duane Vermeulen has come roaring back to top form in 2023.
A big call will have to be made ahead of the World Cup opener, with Vermeulen perhaps now the more likely candidate to start matches before Wiese joins the fray as a member of the ‘bomb squad’.
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Composition of the tight five
Tighthead prop Frans Malherbe and lock Eben Etzebeth are virtually assured of starting places, but the coaches will have to decide whether to start with Ox Nche or Steven Kitshoff at loosehead.
Similarly, working out who is best suited to a starting position and a bench role will apply to Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi, while it will be interesting to see whether Franco Mostert, Marvin Orie or RG Snyman is preferred at No 5.
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