Take a way too early look at who are the frontrunners to don the green and gold for the World Cup 2023 in France.
15. Aphelele Fassi
He is electrifying from open play and can turn a moment in the game on its head but he has a much underrated ability to read the game from fullback. He is very often in the right place at the right time with ability in the air which is pivotal in knock out rugby. Willie Le Roux will only be 33 but I expect him to continue to feather his retirement in Japan whilst falling out of sight of the selectors.
14. Cheslin Kolbe
The pocket rocket will be in his prime for the next World Cup and will most likely be the superstar face of the team much like Brian Habana was. He is currently the form player in the World at the moment and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
13. Lukhanyo Am
An underrated defensive genius who would most likely have been dismissed by opinionistas around the braai had it not been for some ex-players and analysts showing how valuable he was for our last campaign. He has a wide array of tools in his kitbag and will get better with age.
12. Andre Esterhuizen
Andre the giant gets the nod here after seeing the skills he has acquired since moving to England with the Harlequins. He looks to be adding to his impressive direct play with some delicate touch which makes him a real menace to defend. He will need to work on his discipline as his over eagerness to make big hits has got him in trouble with the citing commissioners.
11. Makazole Mapimpi
There was no better sight than watching Makazole Mapimpi dotting down for that historic try in the final and I think he is superstar in waiting. He keeps himself in incredible shape ala Stefan Terblanche which will add years to his career. If all goes well he will break records before all is said and down.
10. Handre Pollard
Mr Consistent will keep kicking them over and he will keep getting selected until he gives them a reason not to. His position in the team is more his to lose than anyone’s to take which does not bode well for the youngsters in the wings but sport can be fickle sometimes.
9. Faf de Klerk
This livewire is the heartbeat of every team that he plays for and inspires players to do what he cannot (I don’t mean getting the All Bran off the top shelf). The stint in the UK has sharpened his kicking skills which fits in line with how the Springboks will play going forward.
8. Evan Roos
This is a position very much in flux at the moment, Duane Vermeulen will be too old to take on the heavy lifting this position requires and others like Sikhumbuzo Notshe lack the grunt needed in a World Cup. Evan Roos has the pedigree to step up and grab the position as it is begging for someone to make it their own.
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit
He was the World Player of the year in 2019 and has many kilometres left in those burly legs. He will need to come to a smart arrangement with whichever club he chooses after jumping from the Stormers life raft to make sure he is not overplayed. A Japanese team with an option for some PRO rugby would be ideal not a French club moneyed to the hilt trying to milk every last Euro out of his legs before he breaks down.
6. Dylan Richardson
A real outlier here I know but I don’t think Siya has the longevity at the moment to make another World Cup. The 2019 World Cup was his Everest and looks exhausted to be honest even with all the positive words from Sharks Coach Sean Everitt. Dylan offers real dynamism for being a little undersized for the role and his ability to jackal will give him the edge.
5. RG Snyman
RG is a real man mountain with uncanny soft hands for a big man and grunt to back it up. He has been realty unlucky with injuries of late but I expect him to flourish in the Northern Hemisphere conditions. Having a solid line out option is key to any campaign and he offers more than the current crop of players coming through the ranks.
4. JJ Van der Mescht
Speaking of man mountains JJ Van der Mescht is as large a human as many people see in a lifetime. He has the ability to move rucks and mauls with his bulk but needs to add some fire to the belly to make the position his own. He comes across as someone who has been the biggest fish in the pond for too long that he needs to learn how to unleash some anger on the field. A weekend fishing with Bakkies sharing stories should do the trick
3. Carlu Sadie
This man defies Physics with his build so low and wide to the ground which makes him incredibly hard to move. He has what cannot be taught in a perfect build and real power from his legs but he will need to learn some of the dark arts from some season pros. I suspect a stint up North will complete his tutelage to becoming a world class tighthead.
2. Bongi Mbonambi
He really took his opportunity when Malcolm Marx faltered during the build up to the World Cup final and like any quality player he has grabbed that chance with both hands. Being a hooker age isn’t a huge factor as long as he stays fit and healthy. With a stint on the Sharks books looking likely he will need to stay ahead of the pack as many talented hookers are circling currently.
1. Ntuthuko Mchunu
What a try he scored to burst onto the scene!!! Rarely do we see such power mixed with speed and athleticism…oh wait we had the Beast doing that for years. This feels like a plug and play replacement for the Beast in the long term and his ceiling appears enormous. He will need to earn the reputation as a feared scrummager before he is talked about with any real seriousness. He has big boots to fill with the likes of Os du Randt and Beast Mtawarira becoming legends in their own right. What better chance than against a touring Lions team with Ox Nche off preparing with the national team?
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