South Africa's Rugby World Cup 2023 Squad A Blend of Experience and Resilience

Posted by Xchange Tickets on August 9th, 2023

South Africa’s coach, Jacques Nienaber, has unveiled his squad of 33 players for the upcoming Rugby World Cup 2023 in Johannesburg. The defending champions’ roster boasts a formidable blend of seasoned players with Rugby World Cup experience, including nine individuals who will be participating in their third tournament. This selection reflects a strategic balance between established expertise and the promising potential of emerging young talents within the country.

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Regrettably, three integral members of the starting XV from the triumphant 32-12 victory against England in Yokohama four years ago have been sidelined due to injury and illness. Flyhalf Handre Pollard, dealing with a calf issue, Lukhanyo Am with a knee concern, and Lood de Jager nursing a chest problem, have been designated as standby players, along with six others.

 Despite these setbacks, the South Africa coaching staff maintains optimism that these players might recuperate in time to participate in the tournament, providing crucial backup in the event of any injuries. Conversely, a contingent of players is set to participate in their third consecutive Rugby World Cup tournament, showcasing their remarkable consistency and commitment.

 This group includes prop Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, lock Eben Etzebeth, dynamic loose forwards Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, and Duane Vermeulen, as well as center Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, and fullback Willie le Roux. These individuals, who were also part of the victorious 2019 Rugby World Cup squad, bring a wealth of experience and will play a pivotal role in South Africa’s pursuit of success in the upcoming tournament.

Dynamic Backline Additions and Emerging Talents:

Returning from the 2019 squad are Steven Kitshoff and Vincent Koch, who occupy the prop positions, along with Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx as accomplished hookers. RG Snyman continues his role as a lock, while Kwagga Smith contributes his versatility as a loose forward. Franco Mostert assumes the role of a utility forward, while FAF de Klerk and Cobus Reinach take charge of the scrumhalf duties.

 Damian Willemse, a utility back, adds to the depth, while Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi bring their prowess to the wing positions. Emerging onto the Rugby World Cup stage for the first time is Ox Nche as a prop, accompanied by locks Jean Kleyn and Marvin Orie. The loose forward roles feature the presence of Marco van Staden and Jasper Wiese, while Deon Fourie provides utility forward capabilities.

 Jaden Hendrikse and Grant Williams are entrusted with the scrumhalf responsibilities, while Manie Libbok takes on the flyhalf role. In the center position, Andre Esterhuizen makes his debut, and the outside backs category welcomes Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie. In total, the squad comprises 19 forwards and 14 backline players. Rugby World Cup fans can buy Rugby World Cup Final Tickets from our website.

 Reflecting on the selection process, Nienaber expressed the challenges faced in assembling this group. While acknowledging the exceptional capabilities of the 42-man training squad, the final decisions were influenced by injuries and time constraints. Nienaber emphasized the commitment to naming the optimal 33 players for the France Rugby World Cup campaign.

Emphasis on versatility and adaptability for Rugby World Cup challenges:

 After affording playing time to 38 individuals across the past four Tests, we are content with the composition of our group. Our confidence in the depth present in each position is well-founded. The squad we have chosen encompasses players who possess the ability to adapt to different roles, a crucial attribute in the challenging context of the upcoming France Rugby World Cup. Although the abundance of talent knocking on the selection door was remarkable this year.

Our final choice was constrained to 33 individuals due to various factors, including injuries. Such setbacks are inherent to the sport, yet we are enthused by the caliber of players capable of seamlessly stepping up to perform on the grand stage of the Rugby World Cup. This was clearly evident from the recent performance of numerous players against Argentina. For more about South Africa Rugby World Cup Tickets

Nienaber also unveiled a roster of nine standby players, of which five will accompany the team for their crucial France Rugby World Cup warm-up matches against Wales (on 19 August) and New Zealand (on 25 August) in Cardiff and London, respectively. The selected standby contingent includes Lukhanyo Am, who plays in the center position, Joseph Dweba as a hooker, Lood de Jager in the lock role, and Jean-Luc du Preez contributing as a utility forward.

 Thomas du Toit as a prop, Herschel Jantjies managing the scrumhalf duties, Handre Pollard excelling as a flyhalf, Evan Roos as the No. 8, and Gerhard Steenekamp bolstering the prop position. Regarding the upcoming journey to the UK, Nienaber remarked, “Since our return to South Africa in 2018, Rassie (Erasmus – South Africa Rugby Director of Rugby) and I have been diligently working towards the Rugby World Cup 2023 and as we approach the tournament, we find ourselves content with our progress.

Demonstrated ability to rival top players on a global scale:

The collective efforts of the coaching staff and players over the past few years have been immense. Our current squad benefits from a substantial contingent of players well-acquainted with the demands of RWC triumphs, bolstered by their extensive international exposure. Simultaneously, the emerging talents of our younger players demonstrated over the past two seasons, have proven their ability to rival some of the global elite.

This collective growth has positioned us as a more formidable unit heading into this competition. While our evolution as a team is ongoing, with two warm-up RWC matches remaining and room for refining our player combinations and addressing specific aspects of our game, we acknowledge that our development is a work in progress.  Kolisi, anticipated to make his return against Wales in a fortnight, will once again assume the captaincy role for the South Africa team during their campaign Rugby World Cup in France.

 Lukhanyo Am sustained a knee injury during the team’s victorious 24-13 clash against Argentina in Buenos Aires, rendering him sidelined for approximately four weeks. Lood de Jager is presently undergoing specialized assessment for a chest ailment. Handre Pollard, who has been recuperating from a calf injury since his inclusion in the squad in June, remains engaged with the Bok medical team’s efforts to regain full physical readiness.

 The commencement of South Africa’s Rugby World Cup title defense is scheduled for Sunday, 10 September, against Scotland in Marseille. This inauguration will be followed by pool stage matches against Romania in Bordeaux (17 September), Ireland in Paris (23 September), and Tonga in Marseille (1 October). The quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup are set for the weekend of 14/15 October, with the semi-finals taking place on 20/21 October, and the grand final on Saturday, 28 October.

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