Former Wallabies scrumhalf Nick Phipps has tipped his hat to the Springboks, proclaiming their recent Rugby Championship victory as a pivotal moment on their march toward a potential third consecutive World Cup triumph. After dethroning the All Blacks last year, the Boks have doubled down, defending their title with a nail-biting 29-27 win against Argentina at Twickenham.
This latest triumph isn't just another trophy in the cabinet; it's a loud and clear battle cry to their rivals as they eye an unprecedented third straight World Cup crown. Phipps highlighted the team's comeback from early setbacks, including a surprising loss to the Wallabies and a defeat by the All Blacks, as a testament to their resilience and evolving strategy.
"The way the squad has changed since that first game. I think, looking back on this, it’s a really defining moment in the Springboks leading into the next World Cup, the direction they’re going to go,"
Phipps commented during an interview on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.
Rassie Erasmus, the mastermind behind the Boks’ recent successes, has been strategically infusing new talent into the squad's seasoned core. According to Phipps, this blend of experience and fresh energy may just be the formula that fortifies the Springboks’ roster more than ever as they prepare for future challenges.
The roster that clinched the title against Argentina featured a mix of hardened veterans and newer faces, showcasing the depth and breadth of talent at South Africa's disposal. The starting lineup in that defining match included only five of the forwards from the opening round, underscoring the dynamic shifts within the team throughout the tournament.
SPRINGBOKS (vs Wallabies at Ellis Park): 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche. Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Canan Moodie, 23 Damian Willemse.
SPRINGBOKS (vs Argentina at Twickenham): 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1
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Former Wallabies scrumhalf Nick Phipps has tipped his hat to the Springboks, proclaiming their recent Rugby Championship victory as a pivotal moment on their march toward a potential third consecutive World Cup triumph. After dethroning the All Blacks last year, the Boks have doubled down, defending their title with a nail-biting 29-27 win against Argentina at Twickenham.
This latest triumph isn't just another trophy in the cabinet; it's a loud and clear battle cry to their rivals as they eye an unprecedented third straight World Cup crown. Phipps highlighted the team's comeback from early setbacks, including a surprising loss to the Wallabies and a defeat by the All Blacks, as a testament to their resilience and evolving strategy.
"The way the squad has changed since that first game. I think, looking back on this, it’s a really defining moment in the Springboks leading into the next World Cup, the direction they’re going to go,"
Phipps commented during an interview on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.Rassie Erasmus, the mastermind behind the Boks’ recent successes, has been strategically infusing new talent into the squad's seasoned core. According to Phipps, this blend of experience and fresh energy may just be the formula that fortifies the Springboks’ roster more than ever as they prepare for future challenges.
The roster that clinched the title against Argentina featured a mix of hardened veterans and newer faces, showcasing the depth and breadth of talent at South Africa's disposal. The starting lineup in that defining match included only five of the forwards from the opening round, underscoring the dynamic shifts within the team throughout the tournament.
SPRINGBOKS (vs Wallabies at Ellis Park): 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche. Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Canan Moodie, 23 Damian Willemse.
SPRINGBOKS (vs Argentina at Twickenham): 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1