Springboks: Local-based XV vs overseas-based XV
· The South African
The Springboks have as much talent playing locally as they have stars plying their trade abroad.
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The Springboks could put together a competitive starting XV composed solely of players currently playing their rugby in South Africa.
Furthermore, they have world-class talent representing clubs all over the world as well.
Let’s take a look at how a local-based and overseas-based starting XV would line up for the Springboks.
LOCAL-BASED SPRINGBOKS STARTING XV
Up front, Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Wilco Louw would make up a powerful Springboks front row.
They would be joined by the lock pairing of Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje.
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi would lead the side in the No 6 jersey, where he would be joined by Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom from the Bulls at 7 and 8, respectively.
It is in the backline where things get interesting, with a plethora of world-class Springboks stars such as Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel and Cheslin Kolbe all plying their trade abroad.
So, I would start Grant Williams at scrumhalf alongside the dynamic Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
On the wings, I would have Kurt Lee Arendse and Ethan Hooker, with a powerful and exciting midfield partnership of Andre Esterhuizen and Canan Moodie.
Damian Willemse would round off a skilful and exciting local Springboks XV.
LOCAL SPRINGBOKS XV
Ox Nche (Sharks)
Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks)
Wilco Louw (Bulls)
Eben Etzebeth (Sharks)
Ruan Nortje (Bulls)
Siya Kolisi (Sharks – captain)
Elrigh Louw (Bulls)
Cameron Hanekom (Bulls)
Grant Williams (Sharks)
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers)
Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls)
Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks)
Canan Moodie (Bulls)
Ethan Hooker (Sharks)
Damian Willemse (Stormers)
OVERSEAS BASED SIDE
Up front, Boan Venter would be joined by the 2025 World Rugby Player of the Year Malcolm Marx at hooker and Thomas du Toit.
Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman would form a solid lock partnership.
An exciting loose forward trio of Kwagga Smith, Pieter Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese would be the match for any back row in world rugby.
Double Rugby World Cup-winner Faf de Klerk would partner Manie Libbok in an exciting halfback pairing at 9 and 10.
On the wings, Cheslin Kolbe would be joined by Dillyn Leyds, while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel would continue their established partnership in the midfield.
Finally, it is at fullback where things get interesting, with Willemse, Aphelele Fassie and Willie le Roux all playing their rugby in South Africa.
So, I would start Tyrone Smith from Harlequins.
Interestingly, the South African fullback is one of three SA-born players who could switch nations to face the Springboks in the near future.
INTERNATIONAL-BASED SPRINGBOKS STARTING XV:
1. Boan Venter (Edinburgh)
2. Malcolm Marx (Kubuto Spears)
3. Thomas du Toit (Bath)
4. Jean Kleyn (Munster)
5. RG Snyman (Leinster)
6. Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs)
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz)
8. Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers)
9. Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles)
10. Manie Libbok (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners)
11. Dillan Leyds (La Rochelle)
12. Damian de Allende (Saitama Wild Knights)
13. Jesse Kriel (Yokohama Canon Eagles – captain)
14. Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath)
15. Tyrone Green (Harlequins)
IF A LOCALLY-BASED SPRINGBOK SIDE TOOK ON AN OVERSEAS-BASED TEAM, WHO DO YOU THINK WOULD WIN?
LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW …