Now just nine days out from kick-off, the 2024 Rugby Championship promises to be one of the most compelling editions of the past decade.
Of the four competing nations just one has a returning head coach as the World Champions Springboks remain welded to Dr Rassie Erasmus.
Away from the Boks, the All Blacks have broken away from a coaching staff that in one form or another dates back to when Sir Graham Henry assumed control in 2004. Now firmly in control, the Scott Robertson era has began on a flying note with a tight series win over England being followed by a drubbing of Fiji in San Diego.
Across the Tasman, Joe Schmidt is rebuilding the Wallabies from the absolute rubble that Eddie Jones left behind and has started brightly with back-to-back wins over Wales.
Finally Felipe Contepomi is now Los Pumas boss and has had more of a mixed start to life in the hot seat with a split series against a heavily experimental French side.
What does all of this mean exactly? Well for one thing it makes this year’s competition more unpredictable than just about any in recent years. How will teams line up? Will Robertson translate his Super Rugby pedigree to the test arena? Will Schmidt break the Bledisloe curse in his first season? Can Argentina live with the big boys in 2024?
Whilst there are clearly several unknowns, one thing is for certain, the Springboks enter this year’s Championship as the most settled side. Throw into the mix that both of their tests against the All Blacks are on home soil and there should be no excuses for them not to win a first title in five years. Taking their first step towards the title, the Boks will need to banish their Suncorp Hoodoo having only ever won at the Brisbane venue on one occasion. Bok fans need little reminding of what this house of horrors has done to previously heralded Bok sides, with Jake White’s future World Champions going down 49 – 0 there in 2006. Thus a win in Brisbane could prove to be catalyst for a title run.
Before a ball is kicked in anger, here is the pecking order of the Springboks heading into the Championship.
Loosehead Prop
1. Ox Nche
Arguably the best in his position in the world at the moment, the Sharks loosehead is a relentless scrummager who uses his stout build to great effect against taller tightheads. Around the park he has taken a real step forward as a dynamic carrier and is a constant breakdown threat.
2. Gerhard Steenekamp
Coming off an exceptional URC season, Steenekamp will assume the mantle as Nche’s key competitor with Steven Kitshoff out injured. His domination of the Leinster front row in the URC semi-final sent shockwaves around the world as a rock solid bomb squad option.
3. Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Quite possibly the most exciting front row prospect in South African Rugby, the versatile Wessels is the perfect bench option heading into the Championship. Capable of playing both loosehead and hooker to a high level the 23-year-old is one for the future, so expect Erasmus to get him some exposure this Championship.
Tighthead Prop
1. Frans Malherbe
Trucking along nicely at 33-years-old, Malherbe remains a dominant scrummager albeit he is certainly in the twilight of his career. Around the park he might not be the most suited to Tony Brown’s uptempo attacking game but his work rate with clearing rucks does free up those around him to carry.
2. Thomas Du Toit
Aptly nicknamed Thomas the tank, the Bath front ranker is a top class option at both loosehead and tighthead. Given the age profile of the other two tightheads in the squad, it does feel as though this is a pivotal campaign for him to push towards being the first choice tighthead.
3. Vincent Koch
Another old bull in the squad, the 34-year-old looked a tick off the pace against Ireland in their recent series. Whilst he can still do a job this feels as though it could be his last Championship in the green and gold with several younger options coming through the ranks.
Hooker
1. Malcolm Marx
Despite having a reported broken leg, Marx has been named in the Bok squad and if fit he should be considered the first choice in the squad. Of course this does not mean he will start given Erasmus’s preference to start several of his best players on the bench. However there is little disputing that when fit he is among the very best hookers in the world.
2. Bongi Mbonambi
Another grizzled veteran in the front row, the Sharks stalwart keeps trucking along at a hight level and is currently the 1B to Marx’s 1A. Joining Koch and Malherbe in coming towards the end of his career, Mbonambi is facing a real threat for his place from a handful of younger options. Heading into the competition it is fair to expect him to feature heavily but could Erasmus start working in the younger players towards the end when they face Argentina? It is certainly feels like a possibility.
3. Johan Grobbelaar
Holding off the impressive Andre-Hugo Venter for a spot in the squad, the 26-year-old is a similar player to his provincial teammate Akker van der Merwe. Whilst he does not have the bulk of Mbonambi or Marx he is ultra athletic and a lethal breakdown threat. His fundamentals are rock solid when it comes to set piece and he could slot into a Deon Fourie style role as a back-up backrow if needed.
4. Jan-Hendrik Wessels
See above for context but Wessels feels like a genuine hooker option if needed.
Secondrow
1. Eben Etzebeth
What more can be written about South African Rugby’s greatest ever lock, yes he is at that point now. The Sharks veteran remains at the peak of his powers despite being just a few months away from his 33rd birthday. Bringing a niggly and hard edge to an already physical Bok pack, he is a key leader in Erasmus’s set up.
2. RG Snyman
Very few players in the world possess the physical gifts of Snyman who at a shade under 7ft tall is understandably one of the best line-out operators in the world. Around the park his ability to occupy multiple defenders before slipping an offload opens up the Boks attack superbly. If there was to be some criticism coming his way, it is the fact that the Irish locks got on top of him in the second test as the men in green by and large shut him down as an attacking threat. This performance followed on from his lacklustre URC semi-final showing in what was a dreadful overall performance by the then URC champions.
3. Salmaan Moerat
Now firmly established as a leader in the squad, Moerat will likely be the bench option for the Boks in this year’s Championship. Coming into the competition having just captained the Boks against Portugal, Moerat is a viable option as captain should the likes of Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Etzebeth all come off the park.
4. Ruan Nortje
The new face in the Bok squad, the Bulls skipper will be looking to win a first cap since 2022 in this year’s Championship. Somewhat of a throwback as a rangy lock who does everything really well, his biggest strength is at line-out time where is a top quality caller. What he does lack as does Moerat, is a real punch in the carry but in saying this his athleticism in the wider channels sees him navigate this area quite well.
Openside Flanker
1. Siya Kolisi
Back to his very best which will be music to Bok fans ears and an absolute kick in the teeth for Racing 92 fans, the Bok skipper is a key carrier for the Boks from first phase set piece. Seeming to be a bit heavier than in previous seasons, Kolisi punched holes in the Irish defence which got his team going with their set plays. It’ll be intriguing to see how Brown uses him this Championship but the early signs are very exciting.
2. Marco van Staden
Certainly the most like-for-like option in the squad should Kolisi need to be rested, the Bulls hard-man is built like a fridge and hits like a ten ton truck. Joining the ever expanding list of versatile forwards in the Bok squad, van Staden was listed as a hooker option at last year’s World Cup and could do a job should there be an injury crisis however unlikely it is that this would be necessary.
Blindside Flanker
1. Pieter-Steph Du Toit
One of the few undroppable players in the Bok squad, the ‘Malmesbury Missile’ gets through more work than any other player in professional rugby. Making 46 tackles against Ireland in the two tests, PSDT was a key reason his team won the first test and nearly claimed the second test. Nearly 32-years-old, he is another veteran player who is on the precipice of making the next World Cup. Should he continue his form then he could be a crucial leader for the Boks in 2027, for this year’s competition, expect him to put in World Player Of The Year Performances.
2. Ben-Jason Dixon
Pieter-Steph Light – the DL Stormers backrow has had a season to remember in 2024. One of the few standouts in a disappointing season for the Cape Town based side, the rangy backrow was one of the best players in his position in the URC. Whilst he is not quite as big as Pieter-Steph Du Toit, he plays a similar style game as he gets through mountain of work every match. Utilising his long frame at line-out time, he feels like a future incumbent for the Boks.
3. Elrigh Louw
Whilst his Stormers rival has stolen the march on him for the number seven shirt, Louw’s versatility could see him occupy a bench spot in the Championship. Equally adept in the number eight shirt as he is in the number seven shirt, the Bulls could well be the long term successor to PSDT when it is all said and done. Bringing exceptional athleticism to the table. Louw’s ability as a cross kick recipient in the wider channel opens up the pitch for his side.
Number Eight
1. Kwagga Smith
South African Rugby’s Swiss Army Knife dispelled any notions that he is best suited to a place on the bench with two strong showings against Ireland. Given his fitness, pace and power, Smith can comfortably cover any of the backrow positions as well as slotting into the backline if needed. For this year however he looks firmly entrenched as the first choice number eight.
2. Elrigh Louw
See above for context.
Scrumhalf
1. Grant Williams
From fourth choice last season to first choice this year, the ultra versatile Williams has become a truly world class scrumhalf over the past two years. His passing and kicking games are top notch whilst his running game is truly elite. This pace ensures that he gets to breakdowns immediately which in turn plays in the Boks new found wide game perfectly.
2. Cobus Reinach
Bringing a veteran presence to a well balanced scrumhalf room, Reinach brings a relatively similar game to the table as Williams even if he has lost a yard of his top end elite speed. Providing cover from the bench for both any of the 5-3, 6-2 or 7-1 bench splits the Boks plan to employ, Reinach would likely slot in at nine with Williams moving to the wing if needed.
3. Morne van den Berg
Mirroring his more experienced teammates, the Lions standout is a perfect bench option with his ability to cover all of the back three positions if needed. Impressing in his debut against Portugal, expect him to get some game time against either the Wallabies or later in the Championship against Los Pumas.
Flyhalf
1. Handre Pollard
Clinging onto the number ten shirt, the ice cold double World Cup winner is in a rather trick position. Clearly he can marshall the Boks’ old game plan masterfully but looked a step behind when trying to play expansively. Given his quality he could certainly mould into that style of player, this being said the other tens in this squad are more suited to an expansive game.
2. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Hands down the biggest threat to Pollard’s place in the squad, the DHL Stormers youngster has the potential to be the best ten in the world heading into the next World Cup. Currently being eased into the squad from the bench, Feinberg-Mngomezulu is too good not to feature heavily in this year’s Championship.
3. Manie Libbok
Not quite a fall from grace but certainly not far off it is the only way to describe Libbok’s time since the World Cup. Still completely haywire from the kicking tee, the uber talented playmaker could flourish without the pressure of goal kicking. For this to be the case, Feinberg-Mngomezulu would need to start at either inside centre or fullback which is a tricky act to balance for the Bok coaches.
Inside Centre
1. Damian de Allende
Hands down the stand out inside centre in the squad, the veteran has the ability to play several styles of game with his underrated distribution skills complimenting his powerful carrying game. Defensively he is very rarely found wanting and will no doubt be first choice all Championship.
2. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
One of three places he could be deployed, see above for comment.
3. Handre Pollard
Given the lack of out and out specialists in the squad, Pollard who has played twelve before could possibly start there if Libbok was to get a run.
Outside Centre
1. Jesse Kriel
Arguably the most under pressure player for his spot in the starting line-up, the veteran centre has put behind him the naysayers and been simply superb since last year’s World Cup. Whilst he lacks the subtle skills of other options, he is a steadying force in the outside centre channel.
2. Lukhanyo Am
Back to his best, the Sharks star could well regain his place in the starting line-up. Matching Kriel in most areas whilst bringing a top notch distribution game to the table, Am could be a bench option with his ability to cover wing but in reality is more suited to a starting role and playing a full eighty.
Wing
1. Cheslin Kolbe
Untouchable in terms of his place within the team, the diminutive magician plays way above his weight category. Bringing a level je ne sais quoi to the Bok backline with his ability to create something out of nothing, Kolbe is clearly relishing Tony Brown’s attacking systems.
2. Kurt-Lee Arendse
Robin to Kolbe’s Batman, Arendse brings the same level of ‘fizz’ to the other wing for the Boks. Whilst he is similar to Kolbe with his ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations, his real strength comes in long range counter attacks. This threat coupled with Kolbe on the other wing makes finding a comfortable touch a non-negotiable for opposition kickers.
3. Makazole Mapimpi
Having lost his spot to Arendse due to injury last season, Mapimpi remains a top class finisher and brings a different game to the other two Bok wingers. Given his power and physicality, Erasmus could opt for him to counter the physical All Blacks outside backs.
4. Grant Williams
See above for context.
Fullback
1. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Arguably the most contentious starting position, given how well he played against Ireland the Stormers star could well hold of veteran Willie Le Roux for the starting spot.
2. Willie Le Roux
Should Erasmus want to keep the status quo then starting the silky smooth veteran is the only real option. By no means is this a bad call given how exceptional he was in the first test against Ireland which followed on from his brilliant season with the Bulls.
3. Aphelele Fassi
The very definition of a top class strike runner, Fassi’s top end pace and eye for a gap makes him a dangerous attacking option. The challenge facing him is consistency in defence and his line clearing ability, both of which are areas he has improved in over the past season.
4. Morne van den Berg
See above for comments.
Full Springbok Squad:
Forwards: Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Siya Kolisi (captain – Racing 92), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls)
Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
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