Holders of the title, South Africa comes to France with the ambition to preserve its property and become the most victorious nation in the history of this competition with a fourth coronation. The Springboks weren’t showing sparkling form before pulling off a late-season feat by humiliating New Zealand.
The story
Titled three times at the World Cup, South Africa is a regular metronome. After their first title in 1995, during his first participation, the Springboks were crowned every twelve years, first in 2007 in France then in 2019 in Japan. Unless this series is broken this year, this 2023 World Cup will therefore not be for South Africans.
South Africa team form
For a long time, South Africa gave the impression of no longer being at the level of 2019. After their world title and a resounding victory against England in the final, the Springboks chained a few unfortunate defeats, in particular against the England, Wales, Ireland or France. However, they did not completely take the water, winning in particular against Australia, Argentina or Scotland. At the Rugby Championship in July, the South Africans started with a fine victory against Australia (43-12) before suffering the lightning against New Zealand after a one-sided first half. They finally finished with a victory against Argentina, proving that along with the All Blacks, they are the strongest in the Southern Hemisphere. What they have once again proven by atomizing the Blacks in a warm-up match.
South Africa match schedule
The list of 33
Pillars : Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane.
Auditors : Deon Fourie, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi.
Second lines: Eben Etzebeth, Jean Kleyn, Franco Mostert, Marvin Orie, RG Snyman.
Third lines: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen, Jasper Wiese.
Demise the mêlée: Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams.
Demis d’overture : Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse.
Centers : Damien de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel.
Ailiers/arrières : Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie Le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie.
The probable composition
While Handre Pollard is no longer South Africa’s fly-half, the 2023 World Cup squad looks a lot like the world champions four years earlier. Among the “survivors” are Kolbe, Mapimpi, Le Roux, Du Toit, Kolisi
Player to watch: Makazole Mapimpi
Her story is so moving that it prompted the making of a documentary. Coming from an extremely poor environment, Mapimpi (33) was left to his own devices as a child after the death of his mother and his brother and sister. A fate only revealed to the general public after the coronation of 2019 in which the Springboks winger had played a leading role by scoring six tries, including the first in the final, perfectly launching his team to victory against England. It has since enjoyed a special status in South Africa, a sort of “national treasure” while being the symbol of a rainbow country in which inequalities are tenacious. During the presentation of the 33 players selected for the World Cup, he received a standing ovation. Author of 23 tries in 38 selections, he will still be one of the main offensive weapons of the reigning world champions in France.
