RASSIE ERASMUS NAMES STRONG SPRINGBOKS SIDE FOR FIRST TEST AGAINST IRELAND
Rassie Erasmus has shown his hand ahead of Saturday’s first Test against Ireland in Pretoria, with Kwagga Smith named at No 8 for the Springboks.
Eleven of the XV started South Africa's World Cup pool defeat to Andy Farrell’s men, with Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, Smith and Ox Nche added to an experienced line-up.
The Springboks have a lengthy injury list, while Jasper Wiese is supended, but they have a deep squad and it is a team that will put it up to the tourists.
Siya Kolisi captains the side, with Erasmus going for a 6/2 bench of forwards and backs with Leinster-bound RG Snyman named among the replacements
“This is the team we believe will give us the impetus we need against Ireland, who are the second highest ranked team in the world,” the coach said in a statement.
“We are blessed to have a lot of depth in our squad, and we are in a fortunate position to have several Rugby World Cup-winners in our ranks who know what it takes to perform at the highest level and play against the best teams in the world.
“The fact that most of these guys have played together is a bonus for us, and most of them have faced Ireland before so they are well aware of the challenge that lies ahead, especially since we haven’t beaten them since 2016."
The hosts will look to get on top of Ireland in the physical battle, with Nche joining Bongi Mbonambi and Frans Malherbe in the front-row, Eben Etzebeth partnering Franco Mostert in the engine room and Pieter-Steph du Toit joining Kolisi and Smith in the back-row.
They’ll empty the tank, before Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Salmaan Moerat, Snyman and Marco van Staden are introduced.
Behind the scrum. Faf de Klerk partners Pollard, Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel form a punchy midfield and le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse make up the back-three. Grant Williams and newcomer Sasha Feineberg-Mngomezulu provide cover.
Erasmus believes the experience of having so many World Cup winners on board will stand to his team.
“It’s great to be in such a position, and while it may serve as a mental boost, Ireland are a quality outfit and they’ll come out guns blazing,” he said.
"This is a new year for us with new systems in place, so while it certainly helps that most of the players have won a World Cup or two, this is a fresh chapter for us.
“Ireland have had the upper hand over us in the last few years and they will certainly want to build on that on Saturday,” said Erasmus.
“That said, we have a good idea of what to expect from them, especially after the World Cup last year.
“They have a few new players in their ranks this year, but so do we and that contributes to the excitement for the match. They are a physical team that never give up, but the margins between the teams are fairly small, so it’s going to be an intense battle and one that will require a resolute performance for the full 80 minutes.”
Farrell will name his team on Thursday afternoon.
South Africa: Wille le Roux; Chesin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Handré Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe; Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert; Siya Kolisi (capt), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kwagga Smith.
Reps: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Salaan Moerat, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Grant Williams, Sasha Fieneberg-Mngomezulu.
Get ahead of the day with the morning headlines at 7.30am and Fionnán Sheahan's exclusive take on the day's news every afternoon, with our free daily newsletter.
2024-07-02T10:41:38Z dg43tfdfdgfd