A potential 2023 Springboks XV posted online has South African fans worried as next year’s World Cup approaches.
The team shared by Twitter user Oom Rugby is almost exactly the same as the 2019 side that played the final.
The only changes to the starting side come in the front row, with Ox Nche in at loosehead prop for the retired Tendai Mtawarira and tighthead prop Trevor Nyakane replacing Frans Malherbe, who drops to the bench.
The only other new face on the bench is Damian Willemse, who was part of the 2019 World Cup squad and takes the No 23 jersey from Frans Steyn.
RWC 2023 team is shaping up nicely…
le Roux
Kolbe
Am
De Allende
Mapimpi
Pollard
Faf
Duane
PSdT
Kolisi
Lood
Etzebeth
Nyakane
Mbonambi
NcheKitshoff, Marx , malherbe , Mostert, Smith, Reinach , Jantjies , Willemse
— Oom Rugby (@Oom_Rugby) April 12, 2022
The predicted team was met with disdain from Springboks fans, with some quick to conclude that having the same side does not bode well as history has shown.
The 1991 All Blacks were widely criticised for being too old, as coaches Alex Wyllie and John Hart tried to keep the ’87 champion team together. They subsequently suffered to a semi-final defeat to eventual champions Australia.
Similarly, the world champion 2007 Springboks side went on a dominant two-year run after their World Cup success only to run out of puff by 2011, managing just one win from four games in the Tri Nations, including two losses to the Wallabies.
When they met a third time in the World Cup quarter-final, Australia completed a third victory to send the defending champions out of the tournament.
The All Blacks did manage to repeat as champions, claiming the 2011 and 2015 World Cup titles, but with a vastly different sides.
In the backs, Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Richard Kahui, Aaron Cruden and Piri Weepu all started against France in the 2011 final, but were replaced by Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea, Dan Carter and Aaron Smith four years later respectively.
There were also changes up front, with front rowers Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu replaced by Joe Moody and Dane Coles, while Brodie Retallick filled the void left by the retired Brad Thorn at lock.
Only seven starters from 2011 had retained their positions for the 2015 final, with over half the starting side changing over that World Cup cycle.
After seeing the potential 2023 Springboks team, South African fans made dire predictions for their side at next year’s World Cup in France on the basis of historical results from teams that have undergone minimal changes between tournaments.
We’re going to get shattered simply because we don’t have an exciting and flexible backline. Okes that will be stagnant and conservative will have a problem against these new emerging squads from England, France, Italy etc bc the young ayers there take risks and wanna jol.
— Malandela (@SMalandela_) April 12, 2022
History tells us that to play (largely) the same team in consecutive RWC has never worked in the past – or will 2023 be the exception that proves the rule?
— Theo Vorster (@sakegesprek) April 12, 2022
Disagree. Don’t think we can use (almost) the same 23 to win back-to-back. Some of these players are on the back-end of their international careers now already, and its still 18 months. Need to add some new blood and get them some Bok time. #Gallant #Libbok #Louw #DuPreez #etc
— Gus (@gustavdetroch) April 12, 2022
They are making the same mistake as many defending champion teams.
— AlbertTheBrain (@AlbertTheBrain1) April 12, 2022
Looks virtually identical to the 2019 team which tells me that the Boks won’t win the next RWC. History has shown that teams that don’t inject new players between RWCs become stale. Even the great 2015 AB team had 8 new starters from the 2011 RWC winning team.
— AJK (@stuck_toilet) April 12, 2022
If we start the same 15 as the wc final, that shows no progress. No new talent tearing it up. Le roux can surely be replaced, Smith and mostert also no longer the best options. 3 spots id use to bring in new faces
— Kaptein (@KapteinKakhuis) April 12, 2022
Should this projected XV come to fruition, only three players be under the age of 30, and not one player would be under the age of 27, which would make it one of the oldest teams.
The projected ages for the starting forward pack in November 2023 would be Duane Vermeulen (37), Siya Kolisi (32), Pieter-Steph du Toit (31), Lood de Jager (30), Eben Etzebeth (32), Trevor Nyakane (34), Bongi Mbonambi (32) and Ox Nche (28).
In the backs: Willie le Roux (34), Cheslin Kolbe (30), Lukhanyo Am (29), Damian de Allende (31), Makazole Mapimpi (33), Handre Pollard (29), Faf de Klerk (32).
Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber made it clear last week that many of those players can make it to France, even Vermeulen, who will be the oldest member of the squad.
“We honestly believe Duane can still make France 2023. We honestly believe Pieter-Steph can still make 2023, we still believe Siya Kolisi can make France 2023,” he said.
“When I say, ‘We still believe’, that’s saying there aren’t big injuries; that’s saying they perform on the field and they do the main thing.
“The main thing is you must play rugby well on Saturday, so if they perform on the field and play like they are currently doing, we believe they can go to France 2023.”
