Why ‘Krappie’ is now the No 1 Springbok No 9

The one position where there is no shortage of depth at the Springboks is at scrumhalf, where Rassie Erasmus and the national coaches are truly spoilt for choice.

Faf de Klerk, Herschel Jantjies, Jaden Hendrikse, Haashim Pead and Embrose Papier currently can’t get into the squad, but those talented players all offer viable back up options.

For most of last year, Grant Williams and Cobus Reinach were the two players clearly at the top of the scrumhalf pecking order, with Van den Berg serving as the third-choice halfback.

However, ‘Krappie’ has taken his game to another level this year, headlined by a stunning performance in the decisive Test against the All Blacks in Baltimore in September.

Van den Berg now has 12 Springbok caps to his name

Having solidified his position in the Springbok starting XV, Van den Berg continues to repay the faith put in him by Rassie Erasmus.

Selected to start against France this Friday, Erasmus explained why ‘Krappie’ had earned his place.

“There are good scrumhalves in South Africa, and they’ve got wonderful skills.

“But what Sacha (Feinberg-Mngomezulu) brings and Manie (Libbok) brings and Handré (Pollard) brings and Damian (de Allende) brings and Gaza (Damian Willemse) brings and Andre Esterhuizen brings, we maybe need a nine just to be really fast off the base and get the balls into those guys’ hands.

“We don’t need this guy who’s sniping all over the field. I think the big thing about Krappie, which we enjoy, is he makes everything a contest. The tackle, tackle fight, a pass, getting to the ruck quick enough.

“I’m not blowing his horn and saying he’s one of the best players in the world, but hell, he grafts and he gives his best.”

The Springboks will lock horns with France on Friday, with the match kicking off at 22:10 (SA time).

Miscellaneous stats and facts:

• Jesse Kriel and Malcolm Marx will both enter the match with 95 Test caps to their name, meaning they require only four more Test appearances after this weekend to join the exclusive club of Springbok centurions.
• Ten players in the matchday squad played in the RWC quarter-final against France in 2023, while 16 players were involved in the match-up between the team’s last season.
• The Springboks have won the last five matches between the teams in Paris, dating back to 2013. Les Bleus last won a match against the Boks in the French capital in 2005.
• Siya Kolisi will lead the Springboks for the 77th time when he takes the field. In his last match against France, he earned the significant milestone of becoming the ninth Springbok centurion in history.
• The total Test caps in the Springbok starting line-up are 896. There are 344 caps in the backline, with 552 caps among the forwards. On the bench, there are a further 269 caps.
• The average caps per player in the backline is 49, the forwards 69, while the players on the bench average 34.