The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has named a 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. The squad features a mix of experience and youth, with 12 players who were part of the Springboks’ 2019 World Cup-winning squad, including captain Siya Kolisi and vice-captain Handre Pollard.
The most notable omissions from the squad are prop Trevor Nyakane, who is recovering from a knee injury, and fullback Willie le Roux, who has opted to take a sabbatical from rugby.
Other notable omissions include wing Makazole Mapimpi, who was the top try scorer at the 2019 World Cup, and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, who is playing in Japan.
The squad is captained by Siya Kolisi, who is in his fourth season as a Springbok. Kolisi is a hard-nosed flanker who is known for his leadership and work ethic. He will be looking to lead the Springboks to their third World Cup title in France.
The other notable players in the squad include Handre Pollard, who is one of the best fly-halves in the world; Bongi Mbonambi, who is the starting hooker; and Pieter-Steph du Toit, who is one of the best loose forwards in the world.
The Springboks are the defending champions and will be one of the favorites to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup. However, they will face stiff competition from teams like New Zealand, England, and Ireland.
The Springboks will begin their Rugby World Cup campaign against Wales on September 9, 2023. They will then face Fiji, Samoa, and Japan in the group stage.
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The Springboks are hoping to become the first team to win the Rugby World Cup three times in a row. They will have a tough challenge ahead of them, but they have the talent and experience to do it.
South Africa
Head coach: Jacques Nienaber
Captain: Siya Kolisi
Forwards: Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, Jean Kleyn, Marvin Orie, RG Snyman, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen, Jasper Wiese.
Backs: Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie.
Here is a closer look at some of the key players in the Springbok squad:
Siya Kolisi (captain): Kolisi is a hard-nosed flanker who is known for his leadership and work ethic. He will be looking to lead the Springboks to their third World Cup title in France.
Handre Pollard: Pollard is one of the best fly-halves in the world. He is a gifted playmaker with a huge boot. He will be looking to lead the Springboks’ attack in France.
Bongi Mbonambi: Mbonambi is the starting hooker for the Springboks. He is a strong scrummager and a good lineout jumper.
Pieter-Steph du Toit: du Toit is one of the best loose forwards in the world. He is a powerful runner and a destructive defender. He will be looking to cause havoc in the opposition’s midfield in France.
The Springboks are a very talented team and they will be one of the favorites to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup. However, they will face stiff competition from teams like New Zealand, England, and Ireland. The Springboks will need to be at their best if they want to win their third title.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the Springboks’ squad announcement:
- The Springboks have named a strong squad with a good mix of experience and youth.
- The squad is captained by Siya Kolisi, who is one of the most experienced players in the team.
- The Springboks will be looking to defend their title in France, but they will face stiff competition from teams like New Zealand, England, and Ireland.
The Springboks are a very talented team and they have a good chance of winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup. However, they will need to be at their best if they want to defend their title.
See more: Meet the Players Who Will Be Competing for Rugby World Cup Glory in France
