Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named an experienced squad for their opening Castle Lager Incoming Series Test against Ireland at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.
The battle is expected to be a humdinger of an encounter between the top two-ranked teams in the world.
The squad consists of 20 Rugby World Cup-winning players. Siya Kolisi is set to lead the side as captain.
The selection of previously unavailable players means that the team shows eight changes to the one that defeated Wales by 41-13 in London 10 days ago.
Welcomed back an impressive team
Erasmus welcomed back Willie Le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Handre Pollard. He also welcomed back Marco van Staden, RG Snyman, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Kolisi.
“This is the team we believe will give us the impetus we need against Ireland, who are the second highest-ranked team in the world,” Erasmus told SA Rugby.
“We are blessed to have a lot of depth in our squad. And we are in a fortunate position to have several Rugby World Cup winners in our ranks. [They] know what it takes to perform at the highest level and play against the best teams in the world.
“The fact that most of these guys have played together is a bonus for us. And most of them have faced Ireland before so they are well aware of the challenge that lies ahead. Especially since we haven’t beaten them since 2016.”
Erasmus said he was in a fortunate position to be able to call on so much Rugby World Cup-winning experience.
“It’s great to be in such a position. And while it may serve as a mental boost, Ireland is a quality outfit. They’ll come out guns blazing,” he said.
New chapter
“This is a new year for us with new systems in place. So while it certainly helps that most of the players have won a World Cup or two, this is a fresh chapter for us.”
Erasmus said that he is expecting a physical onslaught from the visitors in front of a sold-out Loftus Versfeld crowd. He said it would be a full-out battle for 80 minutes.
“Ireland have had the upper hand over us in the last few years and they will certainly want to build on that on Saturday.”
“That said, we have a good idea of what to expect from them. Especially after the World Cup last year,” Erasmus added.
Springbok team to face Ireland at Loftus Versfeld:
15: Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls)
14: Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath)
13: Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)
12: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)
11: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls)
10: Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers)
9: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles)
8: Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs)
7: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz)
6: Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92)
5: Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)
4: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
3: Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers)
2: Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
1: Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Replacements:
16: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears)
17: Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls)
18: Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
19: Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers)
20: RG Snyman (Leinster)
21: Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls)
22: Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
23: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers)
