Springboks star Canan Moodie
Although the Springboks have regularly faced criticism for being too reliant on a dominant forward pack, there is no doubt that the team has made some big strides on evolving their attacking play, while a host of talented young backline players have been coming to the fore.
Notably, the vast majority of the recent World Cup winning backline players will still be young enough to make it to the next World Cup, but there is also a “next gen” of youthful players who will be able to back them up.
With this in mind, we take a look at what a ‘second tier’ backline could look like to offer youthful and talented alternative options, and it does make for interesting reading.
Impressive back-up young talent available for Springboks
“Next gen” Springboks backline: 9 Jaden Hendrikse (age: 23), 10 Jordan Hendrikse (age: 22), 11 Canan Moodie (age: 21), 12 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (age: 21), 13 Henco van Wyk (22), 14 Tyrone Green (age: 25), 15 Damian Willemse (age: 25).
HOW THINGS COULD LOOK FOR THE BOKS BETWEEN NOW AND 2027:
Ages at 2027 RWC of current Springbok backs: 9: Faf de Klerk 35 / Jaden Hendrikse 27 / Grant Williams 31; 10: Handre Pollard 33 / Manie Libbok 30; 11: Cheslin Kolbe 33, 12: Damian de Allende 34 / Andre Esterhuizen 33; 13: Jessse Kriel 33 / Lukhanyo Am 33, Canan Moodie 23; 14: Kurt-Lee Arendse 31; 15: Damian Willemse 29
Ages at 2027 RWC of current Springbok forwards: 1: Steven Kitshoff 35 / Ox Nche 32; 2: Bongi Mbonambi 36 / Malcolm Marx 33, 3: Frans Malherbe 36 / Vincent Koch 37, 4: Eben Etzebeth 35 / RG Snyman 32, 5: Franco Mostert 35 / Jean Kleyn 34 / Marvin Orie 34, 6: Siya Kolisi 36 / Marco van Staden 32, 7: Pieter-Steph du Toit 35 / 8: Jasper Wiese 31 / Kwagga Smith 34
Ultimately, it does highlight how there will need to be a changing of the guard in the next couple of years.
