Creative Manie Libbok and ace goalscorer Handre Pollard are the rivals for the playmaker role while Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach and Grant Williams eye the No.9 jersey.

Young flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the Springboks’ find of the season, is absent as he recovers from knee surgery.

Calm under intense pressure, Pollard has started four of 10 Tests this year and boasts a shooting record of almost 80 percent.

Libbok only started twice and was an inconsistent scorer with a success rate of 58 percent. He was, however, praised for his maneuverability, running and ability to create scoring chances.

Two-time World Cup winner scrum-half Faf de Klerk was available after a long absence with a thigh injury, but did not make the squad, perhaps because he last played in mid-July.

South Africa, who beat Italy and England and lost to France and Ireland on their last end-of-season tour two years ago, are seeking their first sweep since 2013.

If Erasmus chooses to start the tour – which also includes international matches against England and Wales – with his strongest squad, most of the other 13 caps seem clear.

With Damian Willemse ruled out with a groin injury, Aphelele Fassi is expected to continue at fullback after a superb return to form this year following two seasons in the Test wilderness.

Wingers Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse and centers Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende were first choices throughout a season in which South Africa won eight of 10 Tests.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus has three hookers to choose from, including Bongi Mbonambi and often outstanding impact player Malcolm Marx, favorite to feature in Matchday 23.

Loosehead Ox Nche and Vincent Koch, in the absence of the injured Frans Malherbe, are the likely mainstays.

– Tough competition –

Competition is tough to join Eben Etzebeth in the second row. Leinster lock RG Snyman is used to British conditions and that could give him the edge over Franco Mostert and Ruan Nortje.

Pieter-Steph du Toit, considered by many Springbok fans to be the best rugby player in the world this year, and captain Siya Kolisi are the first choice flankers.

Forward Duane Vermeulen retired after South Africa beat arch-rivals New Zealand 12-11 in Paris last October to win back-to-back World Cup finals and a fourth overall title .

This opened the door for Jasper Wiese to inherit the No.8 jersey, although Cameron Hanekom, who can play all three back positions, is a rising star and potential challenger.

Hanekom, fly-half Jordan Hendrikse, hooker Johan Grobbelaar and shooter Wilco Louw were late additions in place of injured trio Willemse, hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Malherbe.

The squad includes 26 of last year’s 35 World Cup winners and 10 starters against the All Blacks in the title race.

“There is a good mix of youth and experience, with most of the players having made strong statements in a Springbok jersey this season,” says Erasmus.

Having played a key coaching role during the 2019 and 2023 World Cup triumphs, Erasmus faces new challenges ahead of the next global competition, which Australia will host in 2027.

Most of last year’s triumphant team will be older than 30 at the next World Cup, and Erasmus admits age is a factor when planning for the future.

“We can’t look too far ahead and forget the present. But we can’t get stuck in the present either. There are guys in the team who weren’t here before the last World Cup,” he said. he declared.

Erasmus says his goal before 2027 is to develop a team in which “ideally there will be three excellent players competing for each position.”

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