From fullback to prop, the Springboks have arguably the best depth in international rugby.
Take the number 10 jersey, for instance. In the latest Rugby Championship campaign, Rassie Erasmus swapped it between three world-class players: Sacha Feinburg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok, and Handrè Pollard.
Across the board are multiple stars in the same position, but who will be there to line up for the green and gold when Australia hosts the 2027 Rugby World Cup?
Springboks who will and won’t make it
The back-to-back world champions are hoping to do something no country has ever done — win three consecutive world cups, five in total.
There’s much speculation surrounding who of the previous winners will make the squad.
Eighteen players are aged 30 and above, including Eben Etzebeth, 34, Siya Kolisi, 33, and Malcolm Marx, 30.
Below showcases who should make it, who is questionable, and who is unlikely to fly to Australia.
Those who should make it :
RG Snyman (current age: 29)
Ox Nche (29)
Handre Pollard (30)
Jesse Kriel (30)
Kwagga Smith (30)
Lukyano Am (30)
Malcolm Marx (30)
Damian de Allende (32)
Cheslin Kolbe (30)
Steven Kitshoff (32)
Eben Etzebeth (32)
Pieter-Steph du Toit (32)
Questionable:
Siya Kolisi (33)
Franco Mostert (33)
Frans Malherbe (33)
Bongi Mbonambi (33)
Unlikely:
Makazole Mpimpi (34)
Vincent Koch (34)
Willie le Roux (35)
Unmatchable squad depth
Many consider it the strongest squad in world rugby, able to field an A and B team that would give New Zealand and Ireland a run for their money.
Retired All Black Wyatt Crockett told Ian Smith on SENZ Radio’s Mornings, “It’s been a challenging start coming up against quality opposition, this Springboks’ team is one of the great teams of the modern era, I feel.
“They have won a couple of World Cups, they have a huge squad with massive depth in every position – their B team is not too far off their A team.
“So the All Blacks have been up against some really quality opposition, I’m interested to see the growth towards the end of the year and seeing the lessons that they have learned and their potential moving forward”.
Who’s your favourite Springbok?
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