Bok depth chart: How Erasmus built an unmatched talent pool
OPINION: Rugby365 delves into the depth of South African rugby as we select three separate teams of capped and uncapped players that have been on the Bok radar in recent seasons.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus fielded different tried-and-tested teams and combinations across the three Nations Championship clashes and got the W despite making several changes every week.
*Also read: Twelve standout players from the Nations Championship
Not every performance was flawless, especially the one against Wales this past weekend, whilst Scotland pushed the Boks close in Round Two – still, to get a win despite not being near their best is a scary prospect.
Our selections are made assuming everyone is fit and ready to fire, and we looked at players who were involved in the national team’s plans over the course of the past three seasons and banging on the door for Bok selection.
Below are Rugby365‘s three teams, which highlight the depth Erasmus and co built since the 2023 World Cup.
If a World Cup Final took place this weekend, this would in all probability be Erasmus’ first choice team:
Springbok first team: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Johann Grobbelaar, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Andre Esterhuizen
Some big names missed out in the selection above, which again highlights the embarrassment of riches South African rugby currently possesses in terms of talent and quality.
Below is our second choice Springbok outfit:
Springbok second team: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Markus Muller, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrich Louw, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Replacements: 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Quan Horn, 23 Canan Moodie
And now for the final team. This side consists of some uncapped players who featured for the South Africa ‘A’ side last month and members from the victorious Junior Springbok team.
Springbok third team: 15:Luan Giliomee, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Ethan Adams, 11 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Imad Khan, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 Esetu Mnebelele, 1 Olivier Reid
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Rambo Kubheka, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Riley Norton, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Yaqeen Ahmed, 23 Jurenzo Julius
Honourable mentions: Faf de Klerk, Trevor Nyakane, Sebastian de Klerk, JJ Kotze, Adre Smith & Nico Steyn.
Do you agree with our selections, and which players do you feel missed out which you would like to see?
*Let us know in the comments section below…
NEW IN THE APP: Official World Rugby Rankings hub! Compare team rankings side-by-side, with data going back 20 years.
Download the RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!
