ERASMUS GOES WITH WORLD CUP WINNING EXPERIENCE IN SPRINGBOKS TEST AGAINST IRELAND
Written by Neo Molefi on July 2, 2024
Written by: Bafokeng Mothebe
The South African team to take on the Irish at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, this weekend, has been announced. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named 20 players that participated in last year’s successful Rugby World Cup campaign, with the starting 15 all playing in last year’s world cup.
The 6-2 bench split includes Springbok newbie and utility back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who made his debut two weeks ago, Salmaan Moerat (lock) and Gerhard Steenkamp (lock), who join the Boks’ experienced squad.
This is the second most capped Springboks side at 966 caps. The highest capped South African team is at 987 caps, which is the squad that was crowned Rugby World Cup champions last year in the 12-11 result over New Zealand in the final, in France.
This is the Springboks’ second match of the season following their 41-13 victory against Wales in London, in the Qatar Airways Cup on 21 June.
Previously unavailable players, Siya Kolisi, Handre Pollard, Willie Le Roux, Kurt Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, RG Snyman and Marco Van Staden, return to the South African team after concluding club commitments and injury recoveries respectively.
The Castle Larger Incoming Series will be broadcasted on the SABC on a delayed basis on 6th and 13th July at 20H30, after the public broadcaster secured a deal with MultiChoice on Saturday morning. The titanic encounter against Ireland will be broadcasted live on SuperSport Rugby (DSTV channel 211) at 17H00 this Saturday.
The 23-man Springbok team to tackle Ireland in the Castle Lager Incoming Series in Pretoria on Saturday:
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
8- Kwagga Smith
7- Pieter-Steph Du Toit
6- Siya Kolisi (captain)
5- Franco Mostert
4- Eben Etzebeth
3- Frans Malherbe
2- Bongi Mbonambi
1- Ox Nche
16- Malcom Marx
17- Gerhard Steenkamp
18- Vincent Koch
19- Salmaan Moerat
20- RG Snyman
21- Marco van Staden
22- Grant Williams
23- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu