Despite the team’s 76-0 victory over Romania, 13 changes were made to the starting lineup. Among those changes are the skipper Siya Kolisi’s return to the front pack, along with Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph Du Toit.
JOHANNESBURG – The Springboks have taken a huge gamble with their squad to play Ireland at the Rugby World Cup on Saturday.
Despite the team’s 76-0 victory over Romania, 13 changes were made to the starting lineup.
Among those changes are the skipper Siya Kolisi’s return to the front pack, along with Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph Du Toit. Duane Vermeulen was passed over in favor of Jasper Wiese, and Damian Willemse will play fullback while Mannie Libbok directs play from the flyhalf position. The favorite center duo is Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel, with Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse on the wings.
The decision by the Bok coaching staff to split the bench 7-1 is the biggest surprise, though.
Scrumhalf With former Springbok sevens player Kwagga Smith, a flanker in the 15-man version of the game, potentially covering the backs as well, Cobus Reinach is the sole backline player among the substitutes.
In the record-breaking 35-7 victory over the All Blacks last month, the 7-1 move—while unintentional—worked, and coach Jacques Nienaber claims they took a deliberate risk this time.
We’re lucky to have a match-ready roster, and we’ve been developing depth and versatility for a long. We think this is the ideal lineup for this match. Since many of these players are competing in their second or third World Cup, they are familiar with what it takes to succeed at this level. Accordingly, we believe this team has the ideal combination of players to accomplish our goals in this game, according to Nienaber.
Nienaber thinks that fans should look forward to the contest between the reigning champions and Ireland, who are now considered to be the finest team in the world.
We know what we need to do to put on a top-notch performance in order for things to go our way because Ireland is a fantastic team with a powerful pack of forwards and excellent backs, as well as a lot of speed in their play, said Nienaber.
Kick-off on Saturday is at 21:00.
Springbok squad to play Ireland:
Springboks – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Kwagga Smith, 23 Cobus Reinach.
