Springbok’s head coach, Rassie Erasmus, has reiterated that the team for Saturday’s second Test versus Ireland at Kings Park (4 pm) will be the same as that clinched a 27-20 win in Pretoria. The line-up will see Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel set a record as they make their 30th appearance as a centre duo in Test matches – the most in South African rugby history.
Erasmus acknowledged the strength of the Irish team, praising their tenacity and quality while noting their world ranking of second. He emphasised the huge challenge his team faces and expressed certainty that Ireland would return even stronger after the previous week’s match. However, he also stressed the importance of his team’s improvement and the need to build on their performance to secure victory in both games.
Interestingly, the selected team for the weekend comprises the most seasoned starting lineup in Springbok history. However, Erasmus clarified that team selection doesn’t revolve around such distinctions. He highlighted the team’s strength in depth and player quality, albeit maintaining that such claims wouldn’t assure a win; they must deliver excellent rugby for the entire match to ensure the desired outcome.
Erasmus took delight in the performances of the squad’s young talents in the previous week’s match, particularly Gerhard Steenekamp (prop), Salmaan Moerat (lock), and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (utility back). He anticipates that they will be even more comfortable on the field this week. He commended their successful contribution off the bench and their notable potential, suggesting that their confidence will grow with each game. The coach ended by acknowledging the further challenge posed by the upcoming weekend but expressed belief in his team’s readiness for it.
Erasmus expressed satisfaction at how the six-two divide in support of the forwards among substitutes provided the anticipated thrust in the second half at Loftus Versfeld. He emphasised that a range of possibilities were pondered for the inaugural test, including a five-three split, a six-two split, and a hefty seven-one split. The chosen combination was deemed best suited to countering the threat posed by Ireland.
He appreciated the substitutes’ laudable impact as they entered the field, enlivening the game considerably—an influence he expects to be replicated this week.
Erasmus predicted a robust challenge from Ireland, recalling previous defeats to them, notably a World Cup pool stage stumble. He was certain that Ireland’s own recollection of these past games would spur them on this week.
Acknowledging their tenacity as a team and their national pride, he noted the missed chances near their tryline in the previous week, which would compel them to rectify their oversights to convert potentials into scores.
He stressed the match would again be physically exhausting, with both teams eager to make amends for last week’s errors. Given the vital pressure of potentially equalising the series, he expects another thrilling exhibition of elite rugby.
The South African squad comprised W Le Roux, C Kolbe, J Kriel, D de Allende, K-L Arendse, H Pollard, F de Klerk, O Nche, B Mbonambi, F Malherbe, F Mostert, E Etzebeth, S Kolisi (capt), P Steph du Toit, and K Smith, alongside substitutes M Marx, G Steenekamp, V Koch, RG Snyman, S Moerat, M van Staden, G Williams, and S Feinberg-Mngomezulu.