As the club season nears its end and the Rugby World Cup draws closer, RwcGlobally has selected the form XVs from each country, starting with the Springboks form XV.

Exciting Backs:

• 15 – Kurt-Lee Arendse: The Bulls’ full-back has been in outstanding form in recent United Rugby Championship (URC) matches. With seven tries and four assists in 11 URC games, Arendse has been a game-breaker for Jake White’s side. Damian Willemse and Willie le Roux have also performed well in their respective positions, but injuries have affected their consistency.
• 14 – Canan Moodie: While Kolbe has faced injury setbacks, Moodie has been sublime for the Bulls, even during the team’s dip in results. Werner Kok has impressed for the Sharks, but Moodie has been a step ahead.
• 13 – Lukhanyo Am: Despite the excellent performances of Ruhan Nel and Dan du Plessis, Am remains the top choice for the number 13 jersey. Jesse Kriel has been superb for Canon Eagles in Japan, but Am’s consistent brilliance on both attack and defense earns him the spot.
• 12 – Damian de Allende: De Allende has been a force to be reckoned with in the number 12 jersey, showcasing his dominance in the past six years. Other contenders like Marius Louw, Harold Vorster, Du Plessis, and Willemse have shown promise, but De Allende’s performances have been exceptional. He tops the charts in various statistics and consistently displays his quality as a player.
• 11 – Makazole Mapimpi: Despite claims of a dip in form, Mapimpi remains a standout player for the Sharks. Regularly starting for the Springboks in 2022 and performing well in the Champions Cup and URC, Mapimpi is currently the secure choice for the number 11 jersey.

Familiar Half-backs:

• 10 – Handre Pollard: With Siya Kolisi’s injury, Pollard is a potential candidate for the captaincy. He has returned from his spell on the sidelines in inspirational form, helping Leicester Tigers secure a place in the Premiership play-offs. While Manie Libbok and Willie le Roux are contenders, Pollard’s recent performances have been some of the best of his career.
• 9 – Faf de Klerk: Jacques Nienaber has several options at scrum-half, including Grant Williams, Embrose Papier, Sanele Nohamba, and Cobus Reinach. However, De Klerk takes the jersey due to Jaden Hendrikse’s injury. He has been living up to expectations in Japan, leading the competition in try assists and retaining more kicks than any other scrum-half.

Kolisi-less Loose Trio:

• 8 – Jasper Wiese: When starting for Leicester Tigers, Wiese has a significant impact on the team’s performance. He excels with and without the ball, showcasing his well-rounded abilities as an international number eight. Duane Vermeulen, Evan Roos, Elrigh Louw, and Sikhumbuzo Notshe have all shown promise as well.
• 7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit: Du Toit has been a standout player in Japan, returning to the form that earned him the World Rugby Player of the Year award in 2019. His tireless work-rate and impressive statistics make him an obvious choice. Hacjivah Dayimani and Louw also have potential to compete for the seven jersey.
• 6 – Kwagga Smith: The South Africans have made their mark in the JRLO, and Smith stands out as one of the best. He has been exceptional in various areas of the game, leading in turnovers won and ranking among the top performers in tackles, tries, carries, meters gained, contact meters, defenders beaten, and dominant tackles among forwards. Marcell Coetzee, Deon Fourie, and Marco van Staden are also strong contenders for the position.

Lock Stocks:

• 5 – Lood de Jager: Despite several key players being sidelined or recovering from injuries, De Jager has been a driving force for the Panasonic Wild Knights in the JRLO playoffs. Franco Mostert and RG Snyman have also made their mark, while Nico Janse van Rensburg’s impressive performances for Montpellier put him back on the Springboks’ radar.
• 4 – Marvin Orie: Orie’s consistent performances for the Stormers have been undervalued this season. Despite injuries affecting his locking partners, he has displayed great resilience and skill. Eben Etzebeth’s return from injury is highly anticipated, while Ruan Nortje remains an integral member of the Bulls’ pack.

Fantastic Front Row:

• 3 – Frans Malherbe: As an anchor in the scrum, Malherbe is a clear favorite for the starting role. Vincent Koch has been solid for Stade Francais, and Thomas du Toit’s contribution to the Sharks’ formidable scrum cannot be overlooked. Trevor Nyakane and Carlu Sadie also provide strong options.
• 2 – Malcolm Marx: Marx has continued to showcase his skills in the JRLO, excelling in turnovers won and scoring tries. Bongi Mbonambi and Johan Grobbelaar have performed well domestically, adding depth to the Springboks’ options.
• 1 – Steven Kitshoff: Kitshoff, the Stormers’ captain, has been exceptional on both sides of the front row. While Ox Nche has also been impressive, Kitshoff’s current form gives him the edge. The Springboks boast a wealth of talent in the prop position, with Trevor Nyakane and Carlu Sadie as additional contenders.

These form Springboks form XV represent the standout players in their respective positions, taking into account their recent performances and contributions to their club teams. The Springboks have a talented pool of players to choose from as they prepare for the upcoming international games and the Rugby World Cup.

READ MORE: Rugby World Cup 2023: Players to Watch