Springbok Squad Announces Significant Change Ahead of World Cup

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rugby springbok squad

The Springbok squad has recently undergone a significant change with the exclusion of Elton Jantjies from the upcoming World Cup. This decision comes after both Damian Willemse’s full recovery and Handre Pollard’s progress in overcoming his injuries.

Jantjies: Fourth-Choice Flyhalf

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has confirmed that Jantjies is now considered the fourth-choice flyhalf, following Pollard, Willemse, and Libbok. This decision comes after Jantjies faced numerous challenges both on and off the field during the past 18 months. Although Jantjies played an instrumental role in the previous World Cup, he is unlikely to be a part of the 33-man squad set to be unveiled on Tuesday, August 8th.

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Matchday Squad and Preparation

The matchday squad for the game against Argentina in Buenos Aires will be announced by Nienaber on Tuesday. The Springboks’ subsequent games include encounters with Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, August 19th, and New Zealand at Twickenham on Friday, August 25th. These matches will serve as final preparations before heading to Corsica for a week-long training camp prior to the Rugby World Cup in France.

Springbok Squad

The Springbok squad traveling to Argentina includes various talents in different roles, from props to hooks, locks to loose forwards, and utility forwards. The scrumhalves include Jaden Hendrikse, Herschel Jantjies, and Cobus Reinach. Manie Libbok will serve as the flyhalf, with Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, and Jesse Kriel as centers. The outside backs consist of Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, and Kurt-Lee Arendse, with Damian Willemse as the utility back.

Notable Absences

Numerous players will remain in South Africa, including forwards Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, and Frans Malherbe, along with backs Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Cheslin Kolbe, and Willie le Roux. The team’s flyhalf, Handre Pollard, and scrumhalf, Grant Williams, will also stay behind.

Coach’s Adaptability

This reshuffling of the Springbok squad showcases the team’s versatility and the coach’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances. While Jantjies’ absence may be felt, the squad still boasts a plethora of talent that has the potential to rise to the occasion during the upcoming World Cup matches.

Valuable Experience and Preparation

The team’s journey to Argentina, followed by warm-up matches and a training camp in Corsica, will provide valuable experience and preparation for the challenges that lie ahead in France.

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Isabella Schmidt is a Cape Town journalist who chronicles the city’s evolving food culture, from Bo-Kaap spice merchants to Khayelitsha microbreweries. Raised hiking the trails that link Table Mountain to the Cape Flats, she brings the flavours and voices of her hometown to global readers with equal parts rigour and heart.

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