Boks in 2011 & 2015 Compared
In 2011 there was a lot of discussion about the squad for the Rugby World Cup hosted by New Zealand.
In 2015 there is a lot of discussion about the squad for the Rugby World Cup hosted by England.
There has been lots of discussion about every Springbok squad for each of the six World Cups they have participated in.
It is probably true to say that there has been a lot of discussion about every Springbok team since 1891.
If you want advice/disagreement/argument, pick a Springbok team!
Let's look at some obvious comparisons between the squads of 2011 and 2015.
Those picked in 2015 who were there in 2011: Willem Alberts, Schalk Burger, Jean de Villiers, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Fourie du Preez, Bryan Habana, Zane Kirchner, Patrick Lambie, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen and Morné Steyn – 15 in all.
Those picked in 2011 who were there in 2007: Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, JP Pietersen, Bryan Habana, Fourie du Preez, Victor Matfield, Bismarck du Plessis, Ruan Pienaar and Jannie du Plessis – 11 in all.
Schalk Burger and Victor Matfield were also at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. The 2015 World Cup will be their fourth.
Squad Size
In each squad there are 31 players.
In 2001 there were 15 backs and 16 forwards.
In 2015 there are 14 backs and 17 forwards.
Ages
In 2011 Victor Matfield was the oldest (34), Pat Lambie the youngest (21).
In 2015 Victor Matfield is the oldest (38), Handré Pollard the youngest (21). Jesse Kriel is also 21.
The next oldest after Matfield are Jean de Villiers and Schalk Brits, both 34.
Players Over 30
In 2011 there were nine players of 30 or over.
In 2015 there are 15 players of 30 or more.
Over 30 in 2011: Bakkies Botha, Jean de Villiers, Butch James, Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, Odwa Ndungane, Danie Rossouw, John Smit, Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Over 30 in 2015: Victor Matfield, Schalk Brits, Jean de Villiers, Jannie du Plessis, Fourie du Preez, Schalk Burger, Bryan Habana, Willem Alberts, Bismarck du Plessis, Zane Kirchner, Ruan Pienaar, Morné Steyn, Francois Louw, Tendai Mtawarira, Adriaan Strauss
Average Ages
2011: 28
2015: 29
Caps
In 2001 Victor Matfield had most caps (107), Willem Alberts fewest (4).
In 2015 Victor Matfield has most caps (123), Rudi Paige fewest (None).
Total Number of Caps
2011: 1 239
2015: 1 297
Transformation
2015 wins 9-8.
Overseas Players
2015 wins 8-4.
Pools
2011: Pool D – South Africa, Wales, Samooa, Fiji, Namibia
2015: Pool B – South Africa, Scotland, Samoa, USA, Japan
