Stars of the Rugby World Cup | Canan Moodie, Springboks’ super-starlet

Canan Moodie, the second-youngest player to represent the Springboks after Francois Steyn, has enjoyed a meteoric rise and is set to star in his maiden World Cup.

It’s difficult to believe the young man, who is equally comfortable at centre as he is on the wing, is only 20.

He announced himself to the world with a try-scoring debut against the Wallabies in Australia in 2022. Due to his height, the Paarl-born player has aerial presence and his impressive turn of pace and angular-line runs make him a triple threat.

The former Boland Agricultural High pupil, who was still at school in 2019 when the Boks won in Japan, was snapped up by the Bulls and plays with a maturity that belies his years. He is a physically gifted athlete, with size and strength, but appears to have a rugby IQ that cannot be taught from a textbook.

After completing high school, Moodie joined the Blue Bulls Academy and quickly rose through the ranks. He starred in the 2022 Currie Cup and was a United Rugby Championship (URC) runner-up that season.

Having played at centre at junior level, it appears Moodie has been earmarked for a future role in the midfield. Interestingly, his Instagram handle is “moodie_c13", which suggests the player sees himself as a centre.

Either way — on the wing or in midfield — Moodie is fast becoming the centre of attention for the men in green and gold.

Referring to the 35-7 victory over the All Blacks at Twickenham on August 25 in the Springboks’ final World Cup warm-up fixture, Moodie described it as “a moment for life”. There is talk he will retain the No 13 jersey when the Springboks tackle Scotland in their opening World Cup pool B fixture on Sunday in Marseille, and few would argue against that choice.

Club: The Blue Bulls

Previous club: Blue Bulls Academy

National caps: Eight (20 points)

Previous World Cup appearances: None

Club honours: United Rugby Championship (URC) runners-up (2022)

TIMESLIVE WORLD CUP BUILD-UP PROFILES

Pools:

Pool A | Pool B | Pool C | Pool D

Star players:

Selestino Ravutaumada, Fiji | Ardie Savea, New Zealand | Will Skelton, Australia | Johnny Sexton, Ireland | Antoine Dupont, France 

All the World Cup pools and fixtures here

● The 2023 Rugby World Cup  kicks off on Friday, with the final on October 28. TimesLIVE has been profiling all four pools and the star players.