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Experienced Springboks unchanged as they chase Ireland series win

By PA
South African players gather in a huddle during a water break during the first Rugby Union test match between South Africa and Ireland at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria on July 6, 2024. (Photo by Marco Longari / AFP) (Photo by MARCO LONGARI/AFP via Getty Images)

South Africa have named an unchanged matchday 23 for Saturday’s second Test against Ireland in Durban.

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The world champions lead the two-match series 1-0 following last weekend’s 27-20 victory in Pretoria.

Rassie Erasmus’ starting XV – captained by flanker Siya Kolisi – is the most experienced in Springboks history with 990 caps combined, three more than the total won by the team which began last year’s 12-11 Rugby World Cup final win over New Zealand.

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Jaco Peyper on TMO in Boks win over Ireland

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Jaco Peyper on TMO in Boks win over Ireland

“It’s always tough facing Ireland,” said head coach Erasmus.

“They are a quality team, they are ranked second in the world and, as we saw last week, they never stop fighting, so we know the magnitude of the challenge that awaits us.

“We have no doubt they’ll come out even stronger this week but we also identified the areas of the game that we need to improve on and it’s vital for us to build on our performance in our quest to win both matches.

“This is going to be another physically gruelling match and, just like us, they will be determined to correct the wrongs of last week.”

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A late penalty try proved decisive at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, adding to scores from Springboks pair Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe.

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Fly-half Handre Pollard also kicked 10 points for the hosts, while Ireland responded through late tries from replacements Conor Murray and Ryan Baird following a first-half finish from debutant Jamie Osborne.

Speaking of his vastly experienced line-up, Erasmus added: “While it may be an impressive statistic, it will by no means guarantee us a victory.

“We know we must go out there and play good rugby for the full 80 minutes to get the desired result.

“It is going to be another spectacle of top-class rugby.”

South Africa team:
15. Willie Le Roux
14. Cheslin Kolbe
13. Jesse Kriel
12. Damian de Allende
11. Kurt-Lee Arendse
10. Handre Pollard
9. Faf de Klerk
1. Ox Nche
2. Bongi Mbonambi
3. Frans Malherbe
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Franco Mostert
6. Siya Kolisi (captain)
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit
8. Kwagga Smith

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Replacements:
16. Malcolm Marx
17. Gerhard Steenekamp
18. Vincent Koch
19. Salmaan Moerat
20. RG Snyman
21. Marco van Staden
22. Grant Williams
23. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

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40 Comments
T
Terry24 168 days ago

Why the Fvck was loud music blasted out on the PA in Loftus while a player was lying unconcsious and seriusly injured and medics were aattending him? Was that some kind of sick joke? Does it mean you owned us, having hurt one of our players, like whatever the weird playing of Zombie is supposed to mean?


Do you think any other host Nation would be that respectful if a SA player was seriously injured? What actual fvck is wrong with ye?

P
PaPaRumple 168 days ago

Ah here we go this guy crying again. So sad and pathetic an adult can behave this way. You have some growing up to do mate. It's so obvious you are all bitter and twisted about this loss and the loss incoming this weekend. I don't think rugby is for you maybe you should stick to synchronized swimming.

J
JK 168 days ago

Ireland also drowned out the Haka with Zombie at the RWC so respect works both ways

G
GrahamVF 169 days ago

My two favourite moments in the game were POM’s backside bouncing a foot off the turf when he tried to tackle DdA and the sight of the Irish pack going backwards faster than most of them can run forwards. Memorable moments.

T
Terry24 169 days ago

Snyman’s inflicting that brain injury to Casey was also a highlight and source of mirth to you upstanding ‘Hard’ South Africans of your type wasn’t it? Go on, admit it, don’t be a coward, your chests’ swelled with pride at that!


Your penalty try was one of two visits to our 22 in the last 30 mins. Two gifts worth 14 points. We also had two legitimate tries disallowed. That’s a swing of 28. The SA lard asses couldn’t handle the altitude. Even with your new system you couldn’t break us down. I predict SA running scared and abandoning their new system on Saturday. Doesn’t matter though as long as we sort that long scvmbag Snyman.

T
Terry24 169 days ago

I would also love to see SA teams presence in the URC reviewed. Putting out weak teams, whatever excuse, just get them out. Their arrogance, conspiracy theories, cheap shot culture to injure players….it is not compatible with ours. Get them out.

D
Daniel 168 days ago

Shame, you’re a little salty hey? Maybe your u20s will make it passed a semi - that should cheer you up!

J
Jack 168 days ago

Yep. There's no way that an Irish team - like Leinster for example - would dream of putting out a weak team for their annual URC trip to South Africa! Try to stop making a complete fool of yourself in public, you turkey.

B
Bull Shark 169 days ago

Good call on selection. Turn the screws.

J
Jacque 169 days ago

Boks should to put an end to this “Ireland are number 1 team in the world” nonsense this week.


Scoreline absolutely flattered Ireland on Saturday. Had Ireland on the ropes and didn’t put them away.

T
Terry24 169 days ago

“Ireland are number 1 team in the world” is only alive in SA heads, players, and some of their more idiotic fans. You think that Ireland has been saying this,? you are mistaken, you are weird. You win two world cups and still not happy? Ego ridden, Needy fvck!


SA dominated the first 50 minutes but got goosed by the aerobic running in their more expansive play and they nearly paid dearly.

One brilliant Irish try disallowed, one genuine try (Doris) dismissed. Two tries handed to SA gainst the run of play, the first another incorrect TMO call.

ALL 4 of those 7 point decsions went SAs way. Even one goes Ireland’s way and its a different result. SA couldn’t break Irish defense, they needed luck.


SA didn’t score between 24 and 62 mins. One try after 2 mins. And the other 2 were gifts. Plenty for Ireland to work with.


That scvmbag Snyman deliberately injuring his Munster teammate. Should be interesting. One thing is for sure. There will be more blood at this match. It will be South African. Win, loose or draw its then a break from having to converse with some of their moronic supporters like you.

B
Bull Shark 169 days ago

It was settled. After the QFs In France.


Reiterated last week.


Rubber stamped in Durban.

T
Terry24 169 days ago

Should have been a great match, but I would take a red card for Ireland if Synman gets what he deserves. The injury to Casey looks so bad that he would be well advised to retire from rugby altogether as has now an unacceptably high risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease even more so if he gets more injuries to that area.

As the referee and TMO didn’t do their jobs it is up to the Irish to sort the scvmbag out.

Snyman put his forehead into Casey’s face after Casey was unconcious. First chance, a broken limb.


I have absolutely no doubt that narcissist SA coach Rassie Erasmus instructed his team to hurt Casey if/when a plausably deniable opportunity arrived.

J
JK 168 days ago

Seems a bit much. If you go back to the RWC pool game in the 1st 10 minutes I think, you’ll see one of the Irish locks cheap-shot PSDT. My point is these teams like to mix it up and it probably went both ways. Go watch the game again and see if you see what I mean around the rucks

C
Charles 169 days ago

Sounds fair, then let it be a limb for a limb and see which teams comes off second best

J
Jacque 169 days ago

It was late, THAT IS ALL. The way Casey fell was unfortunate. It’s rugby & it’s a contact sport. What a joke.


THEN It’s probably Eben’s fault that Sheehan tore his ACL?

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SK 10 hours ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.

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