The Springboks have announced their 33 man squad for Rugby World Cup 2023 and we take a look at the players tasked with defending the title and also take in the latest betting.
After a fairly protracted ceremony, the squad was announced and there were a few shocks (well not that surprising given they were leaked in the lead-up) with Handre Pollard, Lukanyo Am and Lood De Jager not picked due to injury and illness.
Jean Kleyn only recently in the picture did enough to get in the squad and there are no fewer than 4 scrum halves going to France.
Siya Kolisi has done enough to convince the coaches he will be fully recovered for the Rugby World Cup and he will skipper the side.
Jacques Nienaber will coach the team with Rassie Erasmus keeping a close eye on proceedings
THE SQUAD – with thanks to Rugby 365 for the stats
FORWARDS:
Props: Steven Kitshoff (Ulster – 74 caps, 10 points), Vincent Koch (Cell C Sharks – 45 caps, 0 points), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers – 61 caps, 5 points), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks – 19 caps, 0 points), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92 – 61 caps, 5 points).
Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks – 60 caps, 60 points), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears – 61 caps, 75 points).
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks – 112 caps, 25 points), Jean Kleyn (Munster – 2 caps, 0 points), Marvin Orie (Perpignan – 14 caps, 0 points), RG Snyman (Munster – 26 caps, 5 points).
Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz – 69 caps, 30 points), Siya Kolisi (captain – Racing 92 – 75 caps, 45 points), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs – 33 caps, 25 points), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls – 12 caps, 0 points), Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby – 68 caps, 15 points), Jasper Wiese (Leicester – 22 caps, 5 points).
Utility Forwards: Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 0 points), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat – 65 caps, 15 points).
BACKS:
Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles – 48 caps, 44 points), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks – 12 caps, 12 points), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier – 25 caps, 45 points), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks – 4 caps, 0 points).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 45 points), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers – 31 caps, 36 points).
Centres: Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights – 72 caps, 50 points), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins – 13 caps, 0 points), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles – 61 caps, 60 points).
Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls – 9 caps, 50 points), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath – 25 caps, 81 points), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls – 86 caps, 65 points), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks – 38 caps, 115 points), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls – 6 caps, 10 points).
OUTRIGHT BETTING – click here for all long term markets
The All Blacks recent run of impressive form has seen them move to the top of the betting boards and they are currently the ruling favourites at 5/2. Hosts France are 28/10 with South Africa on offer at 9/2. Ireland are 11/2 with England 10/1 and Australia 12/1.
POOL A
This looks a 2 horse race with France currently 17/20 and New Zealand 9/10. Italy are 66/1 and there is 1000/1 about Uruguay and Namibia.
POOL B
This is the group of death and Ireland are favourites to top it at 1/1 with the Boks at 21/20. Scotland are capable of upsetting either team on their day and they are 8/1 with Tonga 90/1 and Romania 1000/1.
POOL C
Australia top this pools betting at 7/20 with Wales priced at 5/2. There has been some support for Fiji who are in from 18/1 to 12/1 and Georgia and Portugal are rank outsiders at 66/1 and 500/1 respectively.
POOL D
England are 4/11 favourites of what looks the softest group and Argentina who would be 4th in the betting were they in Pool B are priced at 21/10. Japan who are currently struggling are 20/1 with Samoa 150/1 and Chile 1000/1 making up the numbers.
Other markets priced up including “To make the final” where the Boks are trading at 13/8 and “Winning Hemisphere” where the South are 11/10 underdogs.
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Click here for betting on round 1 matches
The Handicaps for the 1st round of matches are already priced up and South Africa are -11.5 against Scotland who if you fancy them can be backed at 9/2 for an upset win – Click here to bet on SA Scotland
There will be plenty of other markets available as the RWC kick off approaches including top try scorer and top points scorer.
Note Prices quoted are correct at time of posting but will likely change
