South African rugby fans were eagerly awaiting the announcement of the Springbok squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, and their wishes have finally been granted. Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber unveiled the squad, which comprises a mix of youthful talent and experienced players. The team’s goal is to defend their title as reigning World Champions.
The Springboks will kick off their campaign against Scotland on September 10th, but concerns loom large due to the absence of key players such as Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am, and Lood de Jager. Pollard’s absence, in particular, raises eyebrows as the team struggled with goal kicking during the November series.
To address this concern, Stormers star Manie Libbok is expected to take on the role of the first-choice goal kicker in Pollard’s absence. This will undoubtedly be a challenging task for Libbok, but the team is hopeful that he can rise to the occasion.
Another intriguing aspect of the squad is the opportunity given to Jean Kleyn, a former Irish international. With de Jager sidelined, Kleyn has a golden chance to break into the squad and make his mark on the World Cup stage.
During the announcement, Nienaber highlighted the difficulty of the selection process and acknowledged the impact of injuries on the final decisions. To ensure that the team is adequately prepared, nine players will be placed on standby, with five of them traveling with the team for their warm-up matches.
Despite the absence of key players, Nienaber expressed confidence in the squad’s abilities and stated that they are better prepared for the tournament. The team still has two warm-up games to fine-tune player combinations and improve on specific areas of the game.
In total, the Springbok squad consists of nineteen forwards and fourteen backs. The team includes notable players like Siya Kolisi, Faf de Klerk, and Cheslin Kolbe, who have all played crucial roles in the team’s success in recent years.
Fans will have high hopes for the Springboks as they embark on their journey to defend their World Cup title. With a balanced squad that blends experience with youthful exuberance, South African supporters are optimistic about the team’s chances of success in the tournament.
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