Why your favourite Springbok might miss the 2023 RWC - The Forwards
As mentioned in my previous article on The Backs, the Springboks will only be able to select 33 players for the upcoming Rugby World Cup. With that split likely to be 19 forwards and 14 backline players. With only 3 months till the RWC begins, we are unlikely to see any new faces outside of the recently announced 41-man Springbok Squad, with the only exception being if there were injuries in the front-row.
Previously, in the 2019 RWC South Africa took 17 forwards, with Thomas du Toit replacing Trevor Nyakane when he got injured after the New Zealand fixture.
This 2019 squad had a great balance, with the “swing'“ prop covering both sides of the scrum and Schalk Brits playing eighth-man vs Namibia and hooker vs Canada. Thanks to this versatility, the Bok coaching staff were able to manage the players workloads well over the course of the tournament.
Props
Ever since the announcement that the 2023 RWC would have squads of 33 players, there has been talk that the Boks would take an additional prop. I originally believed this would mean we would see three specialist loosehead props. Those loosehead prop options likely being Steven Kitshoff, Ox Nche and Ntuthuko Mchunu. However, despite featuring against Wales last year, Mchunu does not seem to be in the coaches plans for the upcoming World Cup. In fact, the Springboks scheduled two training camps for Durban in May and Mchunu was invited to neither (despite the convenience of him living there). He was also left out of the training squad for Pretoria. This suggests that he is not currently a consideration for the RWC.
This makes the prop decision straight forward, if the Boks take six props it will be:
Otherwise, if only 5 are selected, one of Nyakane or du Toit would drop out.
Hookers
Not much to discuss here. Three hookers have been selected in Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi and Joseph Dweba. All three will very likely go to the RWC. There is still a question mark around Deon Fourie, who can play hooker as well as flank, but he has not played hooker for several years and lacks the size the Boks expect in a front-rower. It is possible that Fourie is the 4th choice hooker option should an injury occur - as no other hooker has been involved in the Springbok setup since Johan Grobbelaar (uncapped) was called up to the Bok squad in 2021.
Locks
Despite having the similar faces, the lock dynamic has changed substantially since the 2019 tournament. RG Snyman had back-to-back ACL injuries and has not played for the Springboks since the World Cup Final. Eben Etzebeth has become the best lock in the world and a player you would never want to substitute. It is also easy to forget that the “bomb squad” was not just the front-row but also Snyman and Mostert coming on in the se Etzebeth is also currently nursing a shoulder injury, which will likely mean some other combinations will be tested before the beginning of the Rugby World Cup. Jean Kleyn has been called up to the Bok squad after some excellent displays for Munster and Marvin Orie has been a regular presence over the past few years. Although Pieter-Steph du Toit can play lock, it is clear that he won’t unless it were an absolute emergency - therefore he does not fall under this category.
Barring unavailability - Etzebeth, de Jager and Mostert are guaranteed to go. Kleyn being a new face will count against him, but he is the only genuine tighthead lock after Etzebeth. While Snyman and Orie are both “half” locks, who can play either lock role, with Orie being a genuine lineout general for the Stormers.
The question remains, would the Boks take four locks plus Pieter-Steph du Toit like they did in the last World Cup or does the increase in squad size mean they will take five plus du Toit.
Loose forwards
This is the department that has changed the most since the last World Cup, with a host of new faces fighting for a place in the RWC squad. Players guaranteed to go will be the quartet of Kolisi, du Toit, Wiese and Smith. If the Boks take 6 props, 3 hookers and 5 locks. This would only leave space for one additional player to be added to this ensemble, but with Mostert covering blindside flanker, this could be a viable option. This would likely see Duane Vermeulen take that last spot.
If the Boks went for 4 locks, for example, this would free up another place that would likely see one of Roos or Fourie given a chance to go to the World Cup. The worry will be around Siya Kolisi’s fitness, and this could force the Springboks to go for an extra loose forward over a lock.
Possible 2023 RWC Squad
Below is an example of what a squad could look like. Marvin Orie could also be taken instead of Roos, or both could be taken, which would see one of Nyakane or Thomas du Toit drop out. As mentioned above, there is a core group of about 14 players that are guaranteed to go, the rest is interchangeable depending on the balance the coaching staff wish to have in France.
One thing is for sure, no matter how many players are allowed in a Rugby World Cup squad - it never seems to be enough.
They will have to manage Siyas return to the game very carefully so I would guess the extra loosie is the answer. Exactly who is the biggest question. I can see Roos being left behind. Fourie’s ability to turn over ball as a sub offers more than Roos whose gamebreakong ability is good but not as a turnover specialist.
Excellent !