Can the Springboks really go three-deep?

Can the Springboks genuinely field three ‘international’ teams of comparable strength?

The short answer is yes – at least in theory.

The data supports this assertion.

Yet, when it comes to quality, the situation is a bit more nuanced.

Reflecting on South Africa’s nine Tests this year (excluding the non-cap match against the Barbarians), there are compelling indicators that the Springboks can indeed go three deep in nearly every position.

I emphasise “nearly” because I focused solely on players who earned caps this year.

If we factor in positional versatility, selecting three distinct line-ups becomes a simpler task, as demonstrated by coach Rassie Erasmus back in July.

However, for this analysis, I aimed to determine whether the Boks can reliably fill three slots in each position without leaning on players’ ability to cover multiple roles.

This meant considering a player strictly within one position.

To add clarity, I ranked the players from one to three in their respective roles.

Interestingly, in the cases of outside centre and left wing, Erasmus relied on just two players throughout all nine Tests.

This makes identifying a third option quite the challenge without calling on the utility factor.

Overall, this exploration has been both enlightening and quite thought-provoking.

(Continue below ….)

* Below are my top players for each position along with No.2 and No.3.

15: Damian Willemse
Simply the best. The Boks have talented options, but Quan Horn has not had too many opportunities, and Aphelele Fassi is woefully out of form.
Alternatives: Quan Horn, Aphelele Fassi

14: Cheslin Kolbe
Without peer. Edwill van der Merwe has firmly established himself as Kolbe’s back-up, and Jaco Williams is one for the future.
Alternatives: Edwill van der Merwe, Jaco Williams

13: Jesse Kriel
In this crucial position, the Boks are a bit thin, with Canan Moodie a not-too-distant second. Lukhanyo Am would have been worth a try, but he has not played Test rugby since 2024.
Alternatives: Canan Moodie, AN Other

12: Damian de Allende
There is a bit more competition and talent for this jersey, but centurion De Allende is still at the top of the totem pole.
Alternatives: Andre Esterhuizen, Ethan Hooker

11: Ethan Hooker
Hooker has made the left wing his own and started in six of the nine Tests. Cheslin Kolbe often switches between the two wings, but he is my starter on the right. Kurt-Lee Arendse was the only other player used on the left wing this year.
Alternatives: Kurt-Lee Arendse, AN Other

10: Manie Libbok
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu started in five of the nine Tests, including the entire Greatest Rivalry series, but Manie Libbok was far more impressive than Handre Pollard (two starts and Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Vusi Moyo, who started against Wales, is one for the future.
Alternatives: Handre Pollard, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

9: Morné van den Berg
He jumped the queue and finished the year as South Africa’s best scrumhalf. However, double World Cup winner Cobus Reinach and Grant Williams are quality players who will push him hard in November.
Alternatives: Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams

8: Jasper Wiese
Miles ahead of the challengers in this position, with his Bulls teammates Cameron Hanekom and Marco van Staden ahead of Evan Roos, who has dropped down the pecking order.
Alternatives: Cameron Hanekom, Marco van Staden

7: Pieter-Steph du Toit
Daylight between the Malmesbury Missile and the rest. Elrigh Louw and Ben-Jason Dixon highlights the depth South Africa has in the loose forward and utility department.
Alternatives: Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon

6: Siya Kolisi (captain)
On pure form, Paul de Villiers was the best in this, his breakout season. However, the captaincy factor ensured Siya Kolisi starts. I opted for Fourie as a flank, even though he featured at hooker.
Alternatives: Paul de Villiers, Deon Fourie

5: Ruan Nortjé
Another player who made a position his own this year, with his line-out work putting him ahead of World Cup winners Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert.
Alternatives: Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert

4: Eben Etzebeth
Struggle against Argentina and New Zealand (at Ellis Park), but then hit his sweet spot to show there is plenty of life left in the 34-year-old. Cobus Wiese has also grown into a quality back-up, with Ruben van Heerden in the next slot, because Dixon is on the flank in my team.
Alternatives: Cobus Wiese, Ruben van Heerden

3: Thomas du Toit
If it was pure scrumming, then Wilco Louw would get the vote, but Du Toit’s workrate in general play is superior.
Alternatives: Wilco Louw, Carlü Sadie

2: Malcolm Marx
Another ‘simply the best’ …. in the world. The Boks’ front row depth is scary if you think Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Johan Grobbelaar are pushed hard by André-Hugo Venter.
Alternatives: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar

1: Ox Nche
The ‘no salads’ man is arguably the world’s most destructive loosehead prop. With Gerhard Steenekamp and Boan Venter as back-up, the Boks are well placed for the future.
Alternatives: Gerhard Steenekamp, Boan Venter

@JanDKrugby