Springboks Home Test - Bloemfontein
The Springboks celebrate a try. Photo: SA Rugby website

Home » Springboks: 10 survivors from 2019 also start the 2023 final

Springboks: 10 survivors from 2019 also start the 2023 final

The Springboks defend their Rugby World Cup crown against New Zealand. 10 players who started the final in 2019 will start in Paris.

By James Freemantle
26-10-23 13:08
in Sport
Springboks Home Test - Bloemfontein
The Springboks celebrate a try. Photo: SA Rugby website

The Springboks will defend their Rugby World Cup crown on Saturday against New Zealand. 10 players who started the final in 2019 in Japan will take the field from the start in Paris against the All Blacks.

ICYMI: Every RWC winner since 1987

SPRINGBOKS SURVIVORS

Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Siyamthanda Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Faf de Klerk, Handre Pollard, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe are the men in question. It points to a seriously impressive level of continuity that 66.6% of the started in Yokohama will start in Paris four years later.

ICYMI: The EIGHT Springboks who started the 2019 final and 2023 semi-final

Rugby World Cup
Chairman of World Rugby Sir Bill Beaumont lifts the William Webb Ellis Trophy before passing it to the Crown Prince of Japan after the 2019 Rugby World Cup final match at Yokohama Stadium. Image: AFP Pool

RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL FOR THE AGES

Not since 1995 have the Springboks and New Zealand contested a World Cup final. Many neutrals, wherever they are, would have wanted this to be the showpiece and that’s what they’ve got.

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Handre Pollard rugby world cup springboks
Handre Pollard kicks at goal. Photo: Dave Winter/Shutterstock/Backpagepix

Hit up James Freemantle for more insights, news, views and commentary.

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