Jaco Peyper has been drafted in as a secret weapon for the Springboks to help share his expertise as a Rugby World Cup referee. Peyper will spend time with the Springboks in camp before he heads off to a Rugby World Cup referees camp. Nigel Owens was originally supposed to guide the Springboks but Peyper has now stepped in. Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus plans to include Peyper as part of his management team and wants Peyper to communicate with World Rugby as well as talk to the players about laws and penalties.
Meanwhile, Handre Pollard appears to be moving from flyhalf to inside centre, potentially leaving Damian Willemse or Manie Libbok to compete for the flyhalf role. Elton Jantjies has been surprise-recalled due to injuries to both Pollard and Willemse at present.
Five Springbok players who were part of the winning World Cup team in 2019 could be left out of the squad for the 2023 World Cup. Warrick Gelant, Herschel Jantjies, Sbu Nkosi, Elton Jantjies and Frans Steyn are all major doubts to make the 33-man Springbok squad. Gelant and Jantjies are seemingly out of favour, while Nkosi is struggling with off-field issues. Frans Steyn is versatile but his chances of making the squad have been hampered by a serious injury.
