2023 RWC Buildup, Squads, Fixtures 'etc'

SA Squad (19 Forwards / 14 Backs) 2 Hookers*, 5 Props, 8 BR, 2 OH, 4 SH*

Forwards:

Props: Steven Kitshoff (Ulster – 74 caps, 10 points), Vincent Koch (Cell C Sharks – 45 caps, 0 points), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers – 61 caps, 5 points), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks – 19 caps, 0 points), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92 – 61 caps, 5 points).

Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks – 60 caps, 60 points), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears – 61 caps, 75 points).

Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks – 112 caps, 25 points), Jean Kleyn (Munster – 2 caps, 0 points), Marvin Orie (Perpignan – 14 caps, 0 points), RG Snyman (Munster – 26 caps, 5 points).

Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz – 69 caps, 30 points), Siya Kolisi (captain – Racing 92 – 75 caps, 45 points), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs – 33 caps, 25 points), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls – 12 caps, 0 points), Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby – 68 caps, 15 points), Jasper Wiese (Leicester – 22 caps, 5 points).

Utility Forwards: *Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 0 points), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat – 65 caps, 15 points).

Backs:

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles – 48 caps, 44 points), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks – 12 caps, 12 points), *Cobus Reinach (Montpelllier – 25 caps, 45 points), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks – 4 caps, 0 points).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 45 points), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers – 31 caps, 36 points).

Centres: Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights – 72 caps, 50 points), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins – 13 caps, 0 points), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles – 61 caps, 60 points).

Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls – 9 caps, 50 points), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath – 25 caps, 81 points), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls – 86 caps, 65 points), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks – 38 caps, 115 points), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls – 6 caps, 10 points).

Maybe! Crowley was parachuted in very late for his first start and JG-P had to take all the ball early. No Lowe either that day!

To put that match and EJ selection into perspective only 7 players from the starting XV have made the 33:

LH: James Slipper (34, ACT Brumbies, Bond Pirates, 131 Tests)

Hooker: David Porecki (30, NSW Waratahs, Seaforth Raiders, 14 Tests)

Lock: Nick Frost (23, ACT Brumbies, Hornsby Lions, 12 Tests)

BR: Rob Valetini (24, ACT Brumbies, Melbourne Harlequins, 34 Tests)

SH: Nic White (33, ACT Brumbies, Muswellbrook Healers, 63 Tests)

Wing: Mark Nawaqanitawase (22, NSW Waratahs, Wests Juniors, 6 Tests)*

FB: Andrew Kellaway (27, Melbourne Rebels, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, 23 Tests)

And 3 Players from the bench:

Taniela Tupou (27, Queensland Reds, Brothers Rugby Club, 48 Tests)

Will Skelton (c) (31, La Rochelle, Wentworth Magpies, 28 Tests)

Jordan Petaia (23, Queensland Reds, Wests Rugby Club, 27 Tests)

And these 2 prob would have started:

Samu Kerevi (29, Urayasu D-Rocks, Souths Magpies, 45 Tests)

Marika Koroibete (31, Saitama Wild Knights, Nasinu Secondary School, 55 Tests)

There are at least 20 (maybe 10!) players that are 'debatable' selections. The maddest selection I've ever seen for a WC.

All of the Irish 23 that day will make the WC squad

England have shot themselves in the foot with a bazooka. Jones made it ALL about this WC. Mad to get rid of him.

I think they will loose to Argentina in the first game. Then they play Japan. I wouldn't be totally shocked if their WC is over after game 2.

Now Jones has made it ALL about the next WC with Australia!

There are 20 players in the Wallaby squad that will be under the age of 31 at the 2027 RWC.

England's squad will have 13 players

Ireland's(tbc) will have 9 players

Kelleher, Hansen, Dorris, Sheehan, O’Toole, Casey, Baird, Crowley, McCarthy

And SA will have just 4!

Ireland will have 4 players (Sexton, Earls, Healy, Murray) in the squad playing in their 4th WC! Would that be a record?

Ireland v SA will be the 'Dads army' game of this WC. Ireland with 15 players over the age of 31 and SA will have 16.

Hopefully Doak delivers on his promise and will be the starting 9 in the next few years. Ireland will also need a few of those U20's to come through soon.