Are these 14 backs set to earn Springboks RWC selection?

The latest Springboks squad will assemble in Pretoria on Sunday, 11 June, to officially prepare for their Rugby Championship campaign, which takes place in July.

With the 2023 Rugby World Cup fast approaching, the big-name Springbok players based both overseas and locally are expected to ramp up their training and preparation.

REMINDER: Springboks’ season officially underway from this Sunday!

The Rugby Championship will feature three matches this season for the Springboks, against Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 8 July, New Zealand at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland (Saturday, 15 July), and Argentina at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg (Saturday, 29 July).

The shortened tournament will provide the last realistic opportunity for players to force their way into World Cup selection consideration, with the squad announcement for the global showpiece set to be made in early August.

Below, we take a look at the 14 backs we think are the front runners to crack the nod for a ticket to France, although things could of course change quite quickly depending on performances and injuries during the Rugby Championship.

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Looking at the group below, scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse is expected to return from injury in time to earn selection, while Manie Libbok should be included ahead of out-of-favour flyhalf Elton Jantjies.

The centres pick themselves, with Damian Willemse also able to cover at 12, while youngster Canan Moodie could be set for a special selection – likely at the expense of Frans Steyn, who has been sidelined for some time due to injury.

READ | Springboks: 10 players in line for Rugby World Cup debuts – LIST

Are these 14 backs set to earn Springboks RWC selection?

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach

Flyhalves: Handre Pollard, Damian Willemse, Manie Libbok

Centres: Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel

Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie

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2023 CALENDER:

Rugby Championship:
Saturday, 8 July – Springboks vs Australia (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 15 July – Springboks vs New Zealand (Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland)
Saturday, 29 July – Springboks vs Argentina (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)

RWC warm-up fixtures:
Saturday, 5 August – Springboks v Argentina (Buenos Aires)
Saturday, 19 August – Boks vs Wales (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
Friday, 25 August – Boks vs New Zealand (Twickenham, London)

FOR THE LATEST RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023 NEWS VISIT THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEBSITE

RWC FIXTURES:

Sunday, 10 September – Springboks v Scotland (Stade Velodrome, Marseille)
Sunday, 17 September – Boks v Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)
Saturday, 23 September – Springboks v Ireland (Stade de France, Paris)
Sunday, 1 October – Boks v Tonga (Stade Velodrome, Marseille)

Weekend of 14/15 October – Quarter-finals
Weekend of 21/22 October – Semi-finals
Saturday, 28 October – Final

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