After a fair bit of experimentation with team selections so far this season, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has gone for the tried and tested when picking his 34-man squad for the end-of-year tour.
The latest touring group is without a single uncapped player, and boasts 29 World Cup winners in it, with Erasmus clearly targeting an unbeaten final flourish to the 2024 season.
Casting an eye ahead to the three remaining fixtures this year, we also take a look at three Springbok stalwarts who need to make the most of any game-time they receive.
Handre Pollard
At the 2023 World Cup, Pollard emerged as the Springboks’ goal-kicking hero, slotting 13 out of 13 shots at poles once he was recalled after recovering from an injury.
Although he had reclaimed the No 10 jersey by the end of the tournament, this season he has seen his role change quite significantly, with the 30-year-old playing a supporting and mentorship role to rising star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at times.
With the Springboks clearly looking to evolve the attacking side of their game, Manie Libbok has also come back into the mix, with the Stormers star producing an impressive performance in the final game of the Rugby Championship.
However, considering South Africa are likely to revert to a slightly more conservative approach for the end-of-year tour in the UK winter months, Pollard could receive an extended run, and he needs to make it count as competition for that No 10 jersey continues to heat up.
Lukhanyo Am
Once widely regarded as the most in-form outside centre in world rugby, Am has gone through a bit of a dip, largely due to some frustrating injury setbacks.
Jesse Kriel now has a firm grip on the No 13 jersey, but towards the backend of the Rugby Championship, there were signs that Am was beginning to rediscover some fitness and form.
If he wants to push for a return to the run-on XV, Am really needs to make the most of every opportunity he gets on this end-of-year tour.
Willie le Roux
The return of Damian Willemse, and the rise of Aphelele Fassi, has meant Willie le Roux’s days as the regular first-choice fullback are surely behind him.
However, Rassie Erasmus has said the 97-Test veteran does still have a role to play within the team for at least another year or two.
If Le Roux wants to remain in the mix for more Test appearances, the 35-year-old really does need to make a big impression each chance he gets at this stage of his career.
SPRINGBOKS’ END-OF-YEAR FIXTURES AND KICK OFF TIMES
Sunday, 10 November vs Scotland – Murrayfield, Edinburgh – 18:10 (SA time)
Saturday, 16 November vs England – Allianz Stadium, London – 19:40 (SA time)
Saturday, 23 November vs Wales – Principality Stadium, Cardiff – 19:40 (SA time)
Squad for the Outgoing Tour:
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls)
Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster)
Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks)
Utility forward: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls)
Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers)
Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Damian Willemse (Stormers)
What do you think of this squad?
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