Springboks for New Zealand

21 players have been named to join their teammates that arrived in New Zealand earlier in the week, bringing the total number of players to 35.

Departing to New Zealand

Duane Vermeulen, who captained the Springboks to an emphatic 43-12 victory over the Wallabies, is included in the group along with hat-trick hero Kurt-Lee Arendse.

Marco van Staden, Jean Kleyn and Manie Libbok all earned their first starts for South Africa against Australia and could feature against the All Blacks, too, after being included.

The initial group of 14 players who travelled to New Zealand on Tuesday included injured captain Siya Kolisi, lock Eben Etzebeth, hooker Malcolm Marx, winger Cheslin Kolbe and uncapped loosehead prop Gerhard Steenekamp who was called in as an injury replacement for Ox Nche.

Marvin Orie, Joseph Dweba, Evan Roos and Canan Moodie all featured against Australia but have not been included in the group that will leave for New Zealand on Sunday.

“It was always part of our planning that some of the players who ran out in the Test against Australia would travel to New Zealand, and given some impressive performances today, we decided to take a few more players than we originally planned for,” SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said.

“We now have the luxury of having a bunch of fresh players to work with in New Zealand from Monday, and they’ll be joined by a group who have experienced the physicality of Australia and who can add energy and momentum at training from Tuesday.

“We’ll analyse the match on our journey to New Zealand and then announce our team to face the All Blacks on Tuesday.”

Elton Jantjies has not been included in the travelling squad, but scrum-half Herschel Jantjies and prop Trevor Nyakane, who didn’t play against the Wallabies, have been included.

Springboks squad for New Zealand clash

Forwards:
Thomas du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Deon Fourie, Steven Kitshoff, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen.

Backs:
Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Andre Esterhuizen, Herschel Jantjies, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok,Cobus Reinach, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams.

Players who have already arrived in New Zealand:
Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert, Jean-Luc du Preez, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Siya Kolisi(injured).

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Jessica Kriel is the only disappointment with the squad. 

I would consider Delande and even Willemse as backup outside centre, and get rid of Kriel.
Esterhuizen is pushing Delande for a starting position. 

Williams will probably leapfrog Hershell Jantjies to get on the bench. Even Hendrikse will be worried about his backup spot to Faff.
Hendrikse will certainly be in the squad, barring injury. 

Where is Jasper Wiese?

 Kleyn and Snyman will be putting pressure on Lood for the starting position. 

Should be a cracker of a game. All Black destroyed the bargies. 

We kind of know who will start vs who will be on the bench. 

I almost feel having dud and Kriel as our midfield is a waste when we could have Am and Esterhuizen. 

Talks are that Willemse will be at 10. Another big mistake. 

I really want to see what Libbok can do against the All Blacks in the wet

Kriel offers more than Willemse and Damian. If I was devising a gameplan, I'd feel that Damian and Black Damian were worthless. They give me no options. I'd have to organise everyone else around their limitations. 

I believe that Libock should be the preferred choice for the fly-half position at this stage.
While Pollard has undoubtedly showcased his abilities in the past, it has been quite some time since he has consistently performed at his best for the Springboks.
A Delande/Pollard combination can be a bit predictable and easy to defend against. 

In order to maximise Libock's potential, it would be good to see him start at fly-half and actively compete for a regular starting position. His proficiency as a pole kicker, surpasses that of Damien Willemse. 

Giving Libock more playing time alongside Faf de Klerk and Grant Williams in advance of the world cup. 

While there may be speculation about Libock being relegated to a "bomb squad" role when the game opens up in the second half alongside Williams, starting them both is another option to bring a fresh perspective to the Springbok attack, providing a diverse range of tactical options and enabling them to convert their territorial advantage and possession dominance into crucial points, particularly during periods of sustained control.

Overall, Libock's inclusion as the primary fly-half option would not only add versatility to the Springbok attack but also significantly enhance their ability to capitalise on their dominance in terms of territory and possession.

Kriel is useless. No sensible person would discard talent like Damien Willemse for the one-dimensional car horse Jessica who gets worse each year. 

We haven't seen Libbok under any kind of pressure and having to organise an attack. Free running into space is not top level rugby. We saw nothing yesterday to suggest he is in the same class as Pollard. 

Libbok and Willie were getting in each others way during the first half of the game. Especially after a few phases when Willie came into the 10 slot. 

But I wonder if this could work given that Willie is already pushing 33 and could get around the defender like he use to. Willie got caught in the 22 a few times. Maybe Libbok off set play and as the game starts to open perhaps Libbok shift to Full back and can join the line between 13 and the wing or between the centre's. He has the pace and acceleration, not to mention a really accurate pass while running at full pace. He did that a few times on Saturday. 

However, he is still prone to coughing the ball up in contact. He kid of ran out of support and the. Took on 3 defenders and list the ball in the tackle. Wonder whether he should just grubber the ball towards the touch line even though we'll concede the ball. At least it would be a line out which should work towards SA strength. Just a thought. 

Then Jean Kleyn showed what a great jumper he is and must have poached at least 3 balls on the Aussie line out. 

The tao down was great but the Bongi was to quick to join the mall and didn't expect to receive the tao down. 

So Bongi had a really poor game on Saturday. 

Dweeb actually looked better when he came on. 

Saffex would be purring over Dweeb. The guy really punch the ball up which was great to see

Going to be another big quota team.

Question is, who will start and who will be on the bench.

Here is my prediction

1. Kittshof
2. Marx
3. Malherbe
4. Etzebeth
5. Lood
6. Kwagga
7. Jean Luc Du Preeze
8. Wiese
9. Faf
10. Willemse
11. Mpimpi
12. Dud
13. Kriel
14. Kolbe
15. Willie 
16. Du Toit
17. Bongi
18. Koch 
19. Du Toit
20. Vermeulen 
21. Hendrikse 
22. Libbok 
23. Am