Test year in review: Springboks who rocked in 2022

We take a more in-depth have a look at South Africa’s 4 finest performers all through the lately concluded 2022 Springboks Test season.

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Star of the Year — Eben Etzebeth

Etzebeth has been a colossus for the Springboks over the previous two seasons and was unfortunate to overlook out on a nomination for World Rugby Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022. Etzebeth performed in each considered one of South Africa’s matches in 2022 and made his one centesimal Test look in opposition to Wales in Cape Town in July. The 31-year-old has at all times been an enforcer of be aware, a task he embraces and takes pleasure in and this year was no completely different. But his outright bodily domination of opponents usually occasions imply that his different attributes are ignored. This season, Etzebeth once more showcased his wonderful dealing with abilities and was beautifully used as one of many largest kick chasers by the Springboks.

Rookie of the Year — Kurt-Lee Arendse

Seven tries in seven Tests is not any small feat; seven tries in your first seven Tests in your first season of worldwide rugby is the stuff of goals. But contemplating that Arendse hadn’t scored in his maiden Test in South Africa’s second sport in opposition to Wales in July after which served a four-week suspension for his function in a mid-air collision with All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett in the Rugby Championship, it might be honest to imagine that he might properly have scored extra. In each Test he featured in, Arendse left carnage in his wake [exhibit A: England and Marcus Smith] and with each strive he scored Arendse made himself undroppable in a place that isn’t actually his but.

Veteran of the Year — Willie le Roux

Le Roux is a polarising determine in the South African rugby fraternity. Last season, when Le Roux went via a little bit of a dry spell, his detractors had been relentless in their criticism, with some even calling for an finish to his Test profession. But Le Roux returned to his finest in 2022 and was been the engine that stored the Springboks assault going. He has confirmed this year that he stays South Africa’s main playmaker.

Unsung Hero of the Year — Frans Malherbe

Malherbe is essentially the most impactful and constant tighthead prop in the world. But whereas his contributions to the Springboks trigger will not be undervalued, he doesn’t usually get the popularity and accolades he deserves. The 31-year-old, who earned his fiftieth Test cap in spherical two of this year’s Rugby Championship, has been a rock in the scrums, strong defensively and general simply one of many hardest staff throughout the sector for South Africa.

Try of the Year — Kurt-Lee Arendse in opposition to England

For a group who is usually criticised for a perceived ‘boring’ taking part in fashion and strategy to the sport, the Springboks positive scored just a few scintillating tries this year. There are a number of contenders in this class, together with Cheslin Kolbe’s strive in opposition to Italy and Canan Moodie’s landing in opposition to Australia. But Arendse’s surprise rating in opposition to England was the most effective South African Test strive in the year 2022. The Springboks flyer acquired the ultimate go from Le Roux and utilizing his wonderful footwork, he stepped round Marcus Smith, leaving the England flyhalf for useless, on his option to the tryline. There was an eerie similarity between what Arendse’s did to Smith and what Kolbe did to a different Englishman, Owen Farrell, in the 2019 World Cup remaining. But as one social media consumer identified, a minimum of Farrell obtained a hand on Kolbe, Arendse streaked away untouched.

ALSO READ: Arendse scores otherworldly strive for Springboks

The Springboks lineup earlier than a Test

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