Springboks getting dropped
The Springboks. Photo: SARugby

Home » Springboks: THREE ‘regulars’ at risk of being DROPPED!

Springboks: THREE ‘regulars’ at risk of being DROPPED!

Nobody saw this coming. However, these THREE Springboks regulars are at risk of being dropped due to the incredible form of their likely replacements.

28-08-23 15:07
Springboks getting dropped
The Springboks. Photo: SARugby

Nobody saw this coming. However, these THREE Springboks regulars are at risk of being dropped due to the incredible form of their likely replacements.

MUST READ – OPEN LETTER TO SPRINGBOKS: DROP DE ALLENDE, START ESTERHUIZEN!

Damien de Allende, Jesse Kriel and Makazole Mapimpi’s starting positions are all under jeopardy.

This comes as a result of the incredible and meteoric rise to form from Andre Esterhuizen, Canon Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse.

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SPRINGBOKS TRIO IN TROUPLE

If you were Jacques Nienaber, Rassie Erasmus, Mzwandile Stick or Deon Davids it would be impossible not to consider this dynamic trio.

Here are the three biggest selection dilemma’s heading into the Rugby World Cup.

ARENDSE OR MAPIMPI?

Arendse is the man in red-hot form whereas Mapimpi has been at the heart of the Boks success over the past 5-6 years. 11 tries in 10 matches from the Bulls flyer has placed Mapimpi’s spot under huge jeopardy. Furthermore, he has been one of the stand-out stars in the passed two seasons while Mapimpi missed large portions of both campaigns with injury. Take nothing away from Mapimpi’s physicality, class or value to this team but I would not be surprised to see Arendse nick him to the start in the bigger games.

READ: PICKING THE BEST SPRINGBOKS XV – THIS TEAM CAN WIN THE RUGBY WORLD CUP!

Rugby World Cup warm-up: Springboks wing Makazole Mapimpi vs Argentina 5 August 2023.
Springboks wing Makazole Mapimpi vs Argentina. Photo: SA Rugby website.

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ESTERHUIZEN EMPHATICALLY ENTERS THE SPRINGBOKS FRAY

South Africa vs All Blacks
Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen runs over All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo’unga. Photo: @BokRugby via Twitter.

Esterhuizen was brilliant against Australia at home (43-12 win), Argentina away (24-13) and New Zealand in England (35-7). These are all massive tests that he came out guns blazing, earning distinctions in each. Therefore, he has shown he has what it takes to perform under pressure, against top sides.

In contrast, de Allende was below bar against the All Blacks in NZ and decent against Argentina at home (the same opposition). A year ago he was in every pundits World XV now he could share the load – and even be dropped – for Esterhuizen.

ALSO READ – SPRINGBOKS: FOUR STARTING SPOTS UP FOR GRABS AHEAD OF RUGBY WORLD CUP

MAGNIFICENT MOODIE METOERIC RISE

When the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019, Moodie was in high school. Furthermore, he only made his Bok debut last year. Now, fast forward to the future and he is in the picture to even start. Fresh off the back of two man of the match performances (against Argentina and Wales) and an excellent game at 13 against the All Blacks, it will be hard for selectors to not start him.

According to Nienaber, Kriel is the first choice to replace Lukhanyo Am. However, that may have changed after Fridays demolition over the All Blacks. Both players are in top nick.

Springboks All Blacks Canan Moodie
Springbok Canan Moodie breaks away against the All Blacks. Photo: SA Rugby website.

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