Former England flyhalf Andy Goode has included seven Springboks in his Team of the Year for 2024 and another two on the bench.
Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe and Aphelele Fassi were all in Goode’s backline, with Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit in the pack.
Thomas du Toit and Damian de Allende will be on the bench, with Rassie Erasmus as the coach.
‘South Africa are used to peaking for the sport’s big dance but they’ve kept their form going on this occasion and it’s hard to argue with as many as seven Springboks being included in the starting XV,’ Goode wrote in his RugbyPass column.
‘Jesse Kriel’s consistency at outside centre has been a huge factor in their success, Aphelele Fassi has really burst onto the scene with five tries in his eight Tests this year and some would argue it hasn’t been Cheslin Kolbe best year but he’s still been beating people for fun and was outstanding against England.’
Andy Goodes Team of 2024:
- 15 Aphelele Fassi
- 14 Cheslin Kolbe
- 13 Jesse Kriel
- 12 Sione Tuipulotu
- 11 Will Jordan
- 10 Tomas Albornoz
- 9 Antoine Dupont
- 8 Caelan Doris
- 7 Jack Willis
- 6 Pieter-Steph du Toit
- 5 Eben Etzebeth
- 4 Tadhg Beirne
- 3 Tyrel Lomax
- 2 Malcolm Marx
- 1 Ox Nche
Subs:
- 16 Peato Mauvaka
- 17 Angus Bell
- 18 Thomas du Toit
- 19 Scott Barrett
- 20 Wallace Sititi
- 21 Jamison Gibson-Park
- 22 Beauden Barrett
- 23 Damian de Allende
Coach: Rassie Erasmus
Also read:
Rachel Kolisi embraces solo safari adventure following divorce from Siya Kolisi
Picture: Anton Geyser / Gallo Images
