The 2019 World Cup winners unlikely to feature much in 2023

When looking at the Springboks‘ matchday 23 from the 2019 World Cup final, it’s notable that several players remain key members of the current South African team four years later.

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Beast Mtawarira, Frans Steyn and Francois Louw have retired, while it’s of course noteworthy that Lood de Jager, Handre Pollard and Lukhanyo Am all missed out on the current World Cup squad due to illness and injuries.

Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Faf de Klerk, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe and Willie le Roux all started in the 2019 World Cup final, and all 10 could once again start in the first-choice Springboks team at this year’s global showpiece.

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However, left wing Makazole Mapimpi – who famously became the first South African to score in a World Cup final – is unlikely to feature as much in 2023, with Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie all expected to be ahead of him in the pecking order.

Interestingly, RG Snyman and Franco Mostert both featured among the ‘bomb squad’ four years ago, while they are now effectively competing for the No 5 jersey in the absence of De Jager.

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Depending on which way the coaches opt to go this year, either Snyman or Mostert could have a frontline starting role, while the other may be once again deployed as an impact player off the bench.

Meanwhile, if the Springboks go with Jaden Hendrikse as the starting scrumhalf, then De Klerk may also not play as much in 2023 as was the case when he dominated game-time in 2019.

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Below is a reminder of the Springboks’ matchday 23 from the 2019 World Cup final:

CURRENT SPRINGBOKS RUGBY WORLD CUP SQUAD:

FORWARDS:

Props: Steven Kitshoff (Ulster – 74 caps, 10 points), Vincent Koch (Cell C Sharks – 45 caps, 0 points), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers – 61 caps, 5 points), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks – 19 caps, 0 points), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92 – 61 caps, 5 points).

Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks – 60 caps, 60 points), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears – 61 caps, 75 points).

Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks – 112 caps, 25 points), Jean Kleyn (Munster – 2 caps, 0 points), Marvin Orie (Perpignan – 14 caps, 0 points), RG Snyman (Munster – 26 caps, 5 points).

Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz – 69 caps, 30 points), Siya Kolisi (captain – Racing 92 – 75 caps, 45 points), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs – 33 caps, 25 points), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls – 12 caps, 0 points), Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby – 68 caps, 15 points), Jasper Wiese (Leicester – 22 caps, 5 points).

Utility Forwards: Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 0 points), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat – 65 caps, 15 points).

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BACKS:

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles – 48 caps, 44 points), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks – 12 caps, 12 points), Cobus Reinach (Montpelllier – 25 caps, 45 points), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks – 4 caps, 0 points).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 45 points), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers – 31 caps, 36 points).

Centres: Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights – 72 caps, 50 points), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins – 13 caps, 0 points), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles – 61 caps, 60 points).

Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls – 9 caps, 50 points), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath – 25 caps, 81 points), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls – 86 caps, 65 points), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks – 38 caps, 115 points), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls – 6 caps, 10 points).

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