With just two Rugby Championship fixtures remaining for South Africa, the time has come for aspiring players to assert their claim in the Springbok squad ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
A number of fringe players within the Springboks ranks will have the next two Test matches, if they are selected, to solidify their position in South Africa’s 33-man squad set to defend the title in France next year.
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Head coach Jacques Nienaber is scheduled to announce the final squad on August 8, leaving the upcoming play against Argentina as make-or-break moments for those vying for a place in the tournament.
The Boks will face Argentina at Ellis Park on July 29 in their final Rugby Championship Test, followed by a friendly match against the same opponent in Argentina on August 6, just prior to the squad selection.
South Africa’s title defense begins on September 10 against Scotland, with subsequent group stage matches against Romania, Ireland, and Tonga on September 17, 27, and October 1, respectively.
The Springboks’ initial Rugby Championship outings yielded mixed results. They convincingly defeated Australia 43-12 in Pretoria but suffered a 35-20 defeat against the All Blacks in Auckland last Saturday.
Impressive performances in the Australia game from players such as Andre Esterhuizen, Grant Williams, Marco van Staden, Jean Kleyn, Canan Moodie, and Marvin Orie have heightened their chances of further consideration for the upcoming clashes against Argentina.
Of this group, Williams was the sole player involved in the Test against New Zealand, making a significant impact after replacing Faf de Klerk. His consistent displays make him a genuine contender for the upcoming matches.
Orie, Kleyn, Van Staden, eighthman Evan Roos, and the duo of Esterhuizen and Moodie face stiff competition from other established forwards and backs but will seize any remaining opportunity to stake their claim for selection.
Esterhuizen, in particular, will be eager for another chance to prove himself, having been overlooked for the All Blacks Test in favor of Damian de Allende.
With Nienaber and the coaching staff familiar with De Allende’s abilities, granting Esterhuizen an opportunity to feature in one or two more Tests would provide a fair evaluation of his potential contribution to the squad.
Williams, on the other hand, could be a surprise inclusion for France, but the coaching staff will likely prioritize evaluating his performance as the starting scrumhalf against Argentina.
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The forthcoming matches present a perfect stage for him to showcase his abilities. He faces stiff competition from Jaden Hendrikse, Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach, and Herschel Jantjies, as only three scrumhalves will ultimately secure their places.
Speaking of Jantjies, a member of the 2019 World Cup-winning team, he finds himself on the fringes of selection. Both Jantjies and flyhalf Elton Jantjies face an uphill battle to cement their positions in the squad.
