Springboks make several changes for Ireland clash
September 20, 2023
Head coach Jacques Nienaber has made several changes to the Springboks’ matchday 3 for this week’s Rugby World Cup fixture with Ireland.
South Africa currently occupy the second position in pool B after victories over Scotland and Romania. Ireland are in first position.
“There are 13 personnel changes and a positional switch – and a seven-one split in favour of the forwards on the replacements’ bench,” read a statement from the Springboks.
“Nine players who sat out Sunday’s 76-0 win over Romania return to the starting line-up while four others move from the bench to the starting XV for another pivotal encounter.
“The two players to retain their places in the run-on team are Bongi Mbonambi (hooker) and Damian Willemse (utility back) –Â who moves from flyhalf to fullback –Â while Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe (props), Jasper Wiese (loose forward) and Jesse Kriel (centre) move from the replacements’ bench.
“Overall, the team reunites the starting combination that defeated Scotland 18-3 in the opening pool match except for hooker, where Mbonambi starts in place of the injured Malcolm Marx.
“In the pack, it means the restoration of the locking combination of Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert, and the loose trio of captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit (both flankers) and Wiese.
“Outside them, scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and flyhalf Manie Libbok unite at halfback, while Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe will patrol the wings outside of the centre pairing of Damian de Allende and Kriel.
“Nienaber’s seven-one bench will see Deon Fourie continue as hooker, while Ox Nche and Trevor Nyakane will provide prop reinforcements with the Munster lock duo of Jean Kleyn – who played five Tests for Ireland which included wearing the light green jumper in the 2019 Rugby World Cup – and RG Snyman are paired on the bench with loose forwards Marco van Staden and the versatile Kwagga Smith, who can cover wing as well thanks to his Springboks Sevens’ experience.
“The single back on Nienaber’s bench is scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, who also provides cover at wing.”
South Africa are the reigning Rugby World Cup champions. They have won the title three times – in 1995, 2007 and 2019. Nienaber’s tenure as Springboks coach will end after this World Cup.
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Springboks make several changes for Ireland clash
Head coach Jacques Nienaber has made several changes to the Springboks’ matchday 3 for this week’s Rugby World Cup fixture with Ireland.
South Africa currently occupy the second position in pool B after victories over Scotland and Romania. Ireland are in first position.
“There are 13 personnel changes and a positional switch – and a seven-one split in favour of the forwards on the replacements’ bench,” read a statement from the Springboks.
“Nine players who sat out Sunday’s 76-0 win over Romania return to the starting line-up while four others move from the bench to the starting XV for another pivotal encounter.
“The two players to retain their places in the run-on team are Bongi Mbonambi (hooker) and Damian Willemse (utility back) –Â who moves from flyhalf to fullback –Â while Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe (props), Jasper Wiese (loose forward) and Jesse Kriel (centre) move from the replacements’ bench.
“Overall, the team reunites the starting combination that defeated Scotland 18-3 in the opening pool match except for hooker, where Mbonambi starts in place of the injured Malcolm Marx.
“In the pack, it means the restoration of the locking combination of Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert, and the loose trio of captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit (both flankers) and Wiese.
“Outside them, scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and flyhalf Manie Libbok unite at halfback, while Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe will patrol the wings outside of the centre pairing of Damian de Allende and Kriel.
“Nienaber’s seven-one bench will see Deon Fourie continue as hooker, while Ox Nche and Trevor Nyakane will provide prop reinforcements with the Munster lock duo of Jean Kleyn – who played five Tests for Ireland which included wearing the light green jumper in the 2019 Rugby World Cup – and RG Snyman are paired on the bench with loose forwards Marco van Staden and the versatile Kwagga Smith, who can cover wing as well thanks to his Springboks Sevens’ experience.
“The single back on Nienaber’s bench is scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, who also provides cover at wing.”
South Africa are the reigning Rugby World Cup champions. They have won the title three times – in 1995, 2007 and 2019. Nienaber’s tenure as Springboks coach will end after this World Cup.