The selection of the Springbok team is and was always a hotly debated issue, with provincial bias more than often the deciding factor. To select a locally based Springbok team proved to be more difficult than the selection of an overseas-based Bok team, with the competition between the local candidates extremely close.
Although the URC was a wake-up call for the South African Franchises it gave our local-based players to test themselves against some of the best rugby players in the world.
Therefore, it was no surprise to see 8 players in our locally based Springbok team who is not Springboks as yet, with Wandisile Simelane who were part of the Springbok squad before the B&I Lions test series.
Players like Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn and Morne Steyn were omitted in favour of younger and more exciting youngsters who should form part of Springbok history after the 2023 World Cup in France.
SA Based Springbok Squad: 15. Aphelele Fassie, 14. Sbu Nkosi, 13. Wandisile Simelane (**), 12. Lukanyo Amm (c), 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Johan Goosen, 9. Herschel Jantjies, 8. Evan Roos (**), 7. Marcell Coetzee, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Ruan Nortje (**), 4. Salmaan Moerat, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 1. Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: 16. Bismarck du Plessis, 17. Ox Nche, 18. Carlu Sadie (**), 19. Ruben van Heerden (**), 20. Phepsi Buthelezi (**), 21. Sanele Nohamba, 22. Jordan Hendrikse (**), 23. Rabz Maxwane.
(*) Springboks not included in 2021 Squads, (**) Uncapped