Springboks announce squad to face New Zealand at Twickenham

No fixture between these two nations, possibly the biggest rivalry in rugby union, will ever simply be a warm-up. The Springboks have hardly held any punches with their starting lineup either, naming a very strong side although there are eight changes to the side that thrashed Wales at the weekend 52-16.

This close to a World Cup all coaches will be very wary of injuries, none more so than perhaps Jacques Nienaber. The South African coach has already seen two key players, Handre Pollard and Lukhanyo Am, miss out on the World Cup squad due to injuries.

However, while injuries are a major concern, it is also important that players game sufficient game time ahead of the tournament. While some teams have the luxury of playing weaker tier-two nations in their opening games, both the Springboks and All Blacks start with huge matches against Scotland and France respectively.

There is no hiding that South Africa will be under immense pressure if they don’t win their opener either. They are in the pool of death which also includes the world No. 1 ranked Ireland.

With all that said, the result will be important, but clearly going by the selection, South Africa also needs to test some combinations.

Nienaber has opted to select a very experienced, and possibly first-choice pack. However, in the back division, it is very experimental. 

Faf de Klerk starts at scrumhalf and is the first-choice nine in the side while Manie Libbok gets another start at flyhalf. With Handre Pollard injured, Libbok is the only recognised flyhalf in the squad, so he needs as much game time as possible.

Thereafter things get experimental. A new centre combination of Andre Esterhuizen and Canan Moodie will feature against the All Blacks on Friday.

These two have never played together and in fact, this is the first time Moodie will play outside centre in his professional career. He did play there in his school days, but this is a far cry from that.

Nevertheless, with Am injured, Jesse Kriel is the first choice 13. Should he also go down with an injury, the coaching staff needs to know if Moodie can cover that crucial position.

The talent Moodie has is not in question. He will win many more Springbok caps in his career, and this will just be another test for the young man. Esterhuizen on the other hand plays 12 at club and international level and has excelled there throughout.

Damian Willemse starts at fullback ahead of Willie le Roux who is the obvious first choice at 15. But Willemse brings another dimension and will be used during the World Cup as a utility back who can cover fullback, flyhalf and centre with ease.

Makazole Mapimpi and Kurt-Lee Arendse start on the wings. Mapimpi has been the choice for the last five years and won the World Cup with South Africa in 2019. His quality is undoubted but whether he is the first choice remains to be seen with the emergence of Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse. Cheslin Kolbe is undoubtedly a starter when the World Cup gets underway.

All these selections make for an intriguing contest on the Twickenham turf. When these two met in the Rugby Championship in Auckland earlier this year, the All Blacks put on a masterclass in the opening 25 minutes which sealed the game for them.

South Africa however have a very settled squad, and a very strong one at that. They have a number of positions that are very interchangeable between players without losing quality.

Unfortunately, the two positions where the Springboks lack the most depth are where their injuries have come already.

Rumour has it that Handre Pollard and Lukhanyo Am will be fit for the World Cup. So, they may be called up to the squad should there be injuries, but as for now, the 33-man squad will have to do the business.

Manie Libbok will once again be watched like a hawk on Friday night. His ability is not in question as he’s a fantastic player, but his temperament and ability under pressure has at times been found wanting.

But South Africans will do well to remember Pollard’s struggles, particularly in front of goal in 2021. What is sure is that Libbok will be well-tested on Friday night and won’t have the space he enjoyed against Wales.

Backs: Damian Willemse; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi; Manie Libbok, Faf de Klerk; 

Forwards: Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Cobus Reinach, Willie le Roux.