Danny Care is convinced they could pull it off, while Dan Cole and Ben Youngs posed the question with straight faces. The fact that rugby fans and analysts worldwide are seriously considering this possibility highlights the extraordinary depth in South Africa’s talent pool.
With so many weighing in on the topic, we thought it was time to dig into the details of a debate that has moved beyond casual banter to one deserving a thorough discussion: could a Springboks B team realistically win a World Cup or Rugby Championship?
Before diving in, let’s set a few ground rules. We’ll assume all eligible South African players are fit and available, and we’ll start by identifying the 23 players who would represent the A team.