1
South Africa go for 7-1 bench split as Etzebeth returns for Ireland
By Josh Raisey
South Africa have named a 7-1 split on their bench for their blockbuster fixture against Ireland at the Stade de France on Saturday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Lock Eben Etzebeth has returned from the shoulder injury that forced him off the pitch against Scotland in round one of the World Cup to start against their Pool B rivals.
Etzebeth left the field in Marseille before half an hour had passed in the Springboks’ win over Scotland, and subsequently missed the 76-0 win over Romania as many others did, but the 31-year-old has recovered in time to take the field in Paris against the world number ones.
The sole back on the bench is scrum-half Cobus Reinach, who is fresh from a hat-trick against Romania. That means there is not yet a place in the squad for Handre Pollard, who was called up to the Springboks’ squad on Sunday to replace injured hooker Malcolm Marx.
Bongi Mbonambi starts in the No2 jersey in Marx’s place, with Deon Fourie starting as the substitute hooker.
Despite naming seven forwards on the bench, veteran No8 Duane Vermeulen has failed to make the squad entirely. Fellow veteran Willie le Roux has been one of the backs to get the axe as well, as Damian Willemse starts at fullback.
“Ireland are a quality team with a strong pack of forwards and talented backs, and they play with a lot of speed, so we know what we have to do to deliver a top-drawer performance for things to go our way,” South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber said.
“We faced them late last year and we’ve been keeping an eye on their performances this year, so everyone knows what we have to do this weekend.
“We’re fortunate to have a match-fit squad and have been building depth and versatility for a while and believe this is the best combination for this match. For many of these players this is their second or third World Cup, so they know what it takes to perform at this level, and we believe this team has the right balance of players to achieve what we would like to achieve in this match.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We know it’s going to be a grind of a match and we know we need to pitch up physically and mentally. We also need to start with intensity and stay focused until the final whistle.
“This is a massive game for both sides with an eye to progressing out of our pool, so we need to be extremely accurate in all areas of our game.”
Springbok team to face Ireland in Paris:
15 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 35 caps, 56 pts (4t, 9c, 4pg, 2dg)
14 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 11 caps, 60 pts (12t)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 63 caps, 70 pts (14t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 74 caps, 50 pts (10t)
11 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 27 caps, 81 pts (12t, 3c, 5pg)
10 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 10 caps, 71 pts (1t, 21c, 8pg)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 51 caps, 50 pts (5t, 5c, 5pg)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 24 caps, 5 pts (1t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 72 caps, 40 pts (8t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92) – 78 caps, 50 pts (10t)
5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 68 caps, 15 pts (3t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 114 caps, 25 pts (5t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 65 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 64 caps, 65 pts (13t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 78 caps, 10 pts (2t)
Replacements:
16 – Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers) – 8 caps, 5 pts (1t)
17 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 23 caps, 0 pts
18 – Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92) – 64 caps, 5 pts (1t)
19 – Jean Kleyn (Munster) – 5 caps, 0 pts (Ireland 5 caps)
20 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 30 caps, 5 pts (1t)
21 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 16 caps, 0 pts
22 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 35 caps, 30 pts (6t)
23 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 28 caps, 60 pts (12t)
The reality is both teams can afford to lose this game unless Scotland beat Ireland then it was a risk. Deon, Kwagga and Cobus can fit into the midfield, take it up and the release the runners. DDA does that and you will probably find they are similar in pace over the first 40 meters. Os Du Rand was faster than James Small in the first 40m in 1995. People are so focussed on the split they forget everything else. For all we know Duane might be needing the rest. Going to be a good show, but I think O Mahoney will be behaving. Biggest risk in any games is getting a red card over ill discipline or bad tackle technique.
Going to be tough for the Boks. But for the last 2 years our URC franchises have played Leinster many times and have a fair idea what to expect. The make up of Ireland and how they play is known to us now. But our make up is not that well known as we combine guys from various geographies and they then spend 3 months with Rasnaber working on a game plan which is unique. Bloody hell, 7/1. This is going to be fun, and whatever happens it will be one hellava match. Hopefully the Boks qualify for the quarters, but if not, the Boks have been a real roller coaster with Rasnaber. Have enjoyed the ride.
Clever play I think - Rass/Naber have a list of "instant" excuses should they loose. 1). 7/1 is experimental, 2). Pollard didn't play, 3). No recognized hooker. But should they win......that'll will send shivers down the spines of every team left in the comp.
What some might call ‘innovation', others might call ‘arrogance'. The final result will be the judge of that.
Big call, Injuries could play a part if a back goes down. Risky strategy but if the backs dont get injured fowards will bring the power off that bench. Think the fact that Vermeulen was not selected shows they want great mobility coming off the bench. Think if Ireland take the lead here and Springboks have to chase the game then they will struggle with this balance.
Wow shocker same as against new zealand.😱😂
Sorry for not keeping up, is Moodie injured? Otherwise can't believe he wouldn't be in the match day squad. Ireland are quality but my gut says not only the Bok power but also the pace in the backs will be good enough. And yes kwagga can easily go in the backs if needed and the rest from a talent perspective can easily interchange.
Should be a great match. As an ab fan can only look on with envy at the quality of players in that Bok team.
I think the selection is an error, not just because of the 7-1 split but where is Vermeulen? They will be without two major driving forces (alongside Marx) from their first choice pack and, possibly disrupting their whole ‘bomb squad’ tactic.
They will still be a tough, tough team to beat, but Ireland are capable.
The team that loses this game also loses the quarterfinal against FRANCE! Its a do or die situation
Go Ireland.