Can the Springboks B team really take on the world?

Danny Care thinks they will. Dan Cole And Ben Youngs asked with a serious face if they would. The fact that fans and pundits across the rugby world are even considering this question is testament to the outrageous depth of the situation in South Africa.

With everyone else having their say, we decided to get to the bottom of a debate that has evolved from simple banter into something worthy of a long read: Will the Springboks B team win the World Cup or the Rugby Championship?

Before we begin, let’s get a couple of things clear. We assume that every South African player who has not yet retired is fit and available. We will also choose the number 23 to represent side A.

Our first command looks like this:

We won’t have everyone’s consensus, but we will have to eliminate some big names to achieve our main goal.

Below is the proposed Springboks B side broken down into its various components. There is also a rating out of 10 to help you come to a better conclusion.

First row 5/10: Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan GrobbelaarThomas du Toit

This is potentially the only area in the park that has dropped significantly in quality compared to Team A. But they are still a formidable group of heavyweights. Du Toit was an outstanding forward in the Premier League last season, with Steenekamp and Grobelaar destined for big things in the future.

Will this front row overcome the opposition as often as Nche and company? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t on par with at least the top two rows of the Six Nations. And against better-equipped sides, you would back them to hold out. After all, these three train regularly against the Springboks.

This is a young team – everyone is under 30 – and they pose a threat on both sides of the ball. If they can limit the number of scrums and mauls throughout their time on the field, they will be competitive.

Second row 6/10: Salmaan Moerat, Lud de Jager

With a Springbok captain and World Cup winner, there’s no shortage of star power here. The corridor is guaranteed to operate with the precision of a Swiss pocket watch, which can compensate for any shortcomings in the fight.

Admittedly, hard trades lack energy, meaning one of them will have to find extra work in the engine if the game turns into garbage. But with so much background and experience, one would expect them to find a way.

Back row 8/10: Marco van Staden, Elrie LoweCameron Hanekom

The Springboks coaches have always been able to rely on a productive pipeline that regularly produces elite level strikers. And just look at this. Would this back row be out of place in any Test match? It would be difficult to prove that this triumvirate is better than that available to Ireland, New Zealand or France. But Italy? Fiji? Australia?

There is a lot of dynamism, athleticism, skill and hunger here. At 25, Lowe has already established himself in the top echelons of the game, while Van Staden has the right dose of experience. At Hanekom, the loose trio has an all-court number eight that pairs well with the two versatile wings on either side of him.

Midfielders 7.5/10: Faf de Klerk, Many Libbock

Scott Robertson Andy Farrell, Steve Borthwick And Gregor Townsend would at least consider trading the linebackers they have for these two. Only Fabien Galthie would immediately reject this offer. It is debatable whether some people, such as Jamison Gibson-Park, Finn Russell or Marcus Smith – better in their positions. But collectively, De Klerk and Libbock tick almost all the necessary boxes.

Of course, there is a glaring weakness on the tee that causes them to lose half a point, but they more than make up for it in other areas. Control and creativity. Grace and cunning. Tenacity in defense and steely determination after a poor performance. No matter the game plan, no matter how much of the ball they get off the front foot, these two have the tools to crack most defenses. There’s a good chance that several people reading this would have picked them as the starting 9 and 10 on the A team.

Centers 9/10: Andre Esterhuizen, Lukhanyo Am

Like the midfielders, this central pairing will compete for a place in almost any other Test team. They will feature in the midfields of Australia and Wales, and will also be in contention for a spot in the England starting line-up. Esterhuizen provides forward momentum with his ferocious running and he would be keen to see how Libbock can offer supply options.

Am remains the most creative and skillful center South Africa has produced in the professional era. And while injury and age have combined to reduce his impact when going through holes, his link-up play remains world-class. In a different era, with a different rugby philosophy at the forefront, it would have been these two, not De Allende and Kriel, who might have broken the South African record for most appearances in midfield.

Back three 8/10: Makazol Mapimpi, Kanan MoodyAphelele Fassi

Neither of them have the electric legs of Kolbe or Arendse, meaning turnovers at the halfway line may not equate to points as often, but they definitely know how to get to the try line if you give them there is enough space to find it. Mapimpi’s aging legs aren’t what they used to be, but it seems to have provided some extra gears in his engine as he regularly shifts into tight corners.

Moody is a generational athlete and also provides cover at other positions. His defense needs work, but since Fassi has gained such confidence and poise in the Rugby Championship, there is some help for the young lad on the wing. All three are carriers of explosives and will not be mocked in the air. They would be capable of playing a heavy kicking game in any conditions and would have enough speed to shine in the post.

Reserves 6/10: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Trevor Nyakane, Wilko Low, Gene Klein, Ben Jason Dixon, Jayden Hendrix, Jordan HendrickseWillie le Roux

There are four World Cup winners there, but they still lack experience. Klein offers strength in blocking, which could make up for the starting XI’s shortcomings, but could see the lineout suffer.

Dixon ensures the back line remains effective and the Hendrickse brothers would be delighted in tandem (provided they can play on the front foot and stay grounded). WITH Jordan Hendrickse and Moody manning multiple positions, the wily Le Roux will pose a threat to the first receiver in the final 20 minutes.

So, will this team win the World Cup and Rugby Championship instead of the main team?

The short answer to the question is no. Or at least if they did, they would be more effective. South Africa won the last World Cup, winning the three knockout games by one point using their best 23. They trailed in both games against New Zealand this year and recently lost Argentina and Ireland. South Africa’s dominance on the oval is real, but not as convincing as some devotees might think.

Therefore, it is better to ask the following question: where would the South African national team rank in the world? There is no doubt that the back line is capable, but the tight five in particular looks depleted, highlighting the value and rarity of these big, lumbering warhorses. The back row lacks experience – and the cheat codes of Du Toit and Smith – and the second row, devoid of the threat of Etzebeth, doesn’t seem quite as intimidating. Shooting on goal would also be an issue, but any South African team without Pollard carries those doubts.

Perhaps their advantage is one they would share with the A side. If Jacques Nienaber could return as coach with Jake White and Franco Smith by providing support then perhaps they will tap into some of that Mzanzi spirit that seems to lift South African rugby players every time they pull on the green jersey.

Show the movie “Invictus” on the big screen. Read excerpts from Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom. Show them pictures of the hungry and homeless people scattered throughout the country and tell them that they are the only thing working in the country. Who knows, maybe this will turn those flying economy class reservists with bibs and gear bags into champions.

It’s a question worth asking, isn’t it?