Competition for places in the Springboks’ second row is intense, but who will you be picking to power the engine room at the World Cup?
Readers picked three scrumhalves to travel to France for the global showpiece as well as two wings and now it’s time to talk about the tall timber in the pack.
HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW!
In 2019, Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth effectively served as the starting lock combination for the Springboks, with Franco Mostert and RG Snyman providing extra firepower from the bench.
Since then, each of the ‘Awesome Foursome’ has had their battles with injuries, but none has been worse affected than Snyman, who suffered two long-term knee ligament injuries after joining Munster.
Snyman has made a strong return to action recently, helping Munster become the first team to beat the DHL Stormers in Cape Town since the Lions in December 2021.
Etzebeth became the latest addition to the Springbok Centurions club in 2022, but has been placed in a race to prove his fitness for the World Cup after suffering a shoulder injury while playing for the Sharks.
Meanwhile, Marvin Orie and Ruben van Heerden have formed a strong combination that is pushing the Stormers towards back-to-back Vodacom United Rugby Championship titles, while Jason Jenkins has been an integral player for Leinster as the Irish giants push for a double in 2023.
Ruan Nortje made his Test debut in 2022 and has proven his leadership ability by seamlessly taking over as Vodacom Bulls captain after Marcell Coetzee left for Japan halfway through the season.
The Springboks could also look to shift loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit and Rynhardt Elstadt to lock if needed.
Photo: Steve Haag