Moodie, Arendse, Nohamba pushing hard for Bok starting spots

We’re two and a half months away from the Springboks playing their first match of 2023 but there is already plenty of talk about who could be the surprise selections this year.

We all know the majority of the squad that did duty in 2019 in Japan and again during the British and Irish Lions series in 2021 will make up most of the Bok squad this season, ahead of the World Cup later this year, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be newcomers or fringe players being promoted to first choice picks.

I suspect coach Jacques Nienaber will test a few men in the build-up to the World Cup, in the Rugby Championship, to see what he has and what men work well together. It’s certainly heading towards an exciting international rugby season.

Wing depth

While there is tremendous depth in some positions, other areas are less well stocked.

At wing, for example, in the World Cup final in 2019 Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe did duty, but I don’t think anyone would be surprised if in 2023 the Bok wingers were Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse. Or could Arendse take over from Willie le Roux?

Where then does Damian Willemse — who has been one of the Bok standouts in recent seasons in a number of different positions — fit in?

Because at flyhalf you have Handre Pollard and pushing hard is Manie Libbok, while Johan Goosen also seems to be returning to his best form. Is Willemse then a utility man who can play wherever he is needed on any day? And what about Elton Jantjies, who has been the No 10 back-up for so long, does he still have a Bok future?

Scrumhalf

And if we’re honest, the top scrumhalves this year have been Grant Williams, Embrose Papier, Paul de Wet and Sanele Nohamba, who’s a genuine goal-kicking option, too, but none of them have been first-choice picks under Nienaber, so there could be a big battle coming up for the Bok No 9 jersey.

With the domestic season winding down, with just the URC playoffs and second half of the Currie Cup to be played, the big push for Bok recognition is on. And how thrilling the next few months are set to be.