Springboks unchanged for 2nd Ireland test and lineup is their most experienced ever
South Africa’s Jesse Kriel gestures to his teammate during a test match between South Africa and Ireland at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
DURBAN, South Africa (AP) — South Africa chose an unchanged side to play Ireland in the second test this weekend, its most capped rugby team in history.
The world champion Springboks won the first test 27-20 on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld.
The starting XV at Kings Park Stadium this Saturday will boast 990 caps, three more than the side for the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand last October.
“We don’t really look at such (statistics) when we select the team, but this shows how blessed we are with the depth in the squad and the quality of the players we have,” coach Rassie Erasmus said on Tuesday.
“While it may be an impressive statistic, it will by no means guarantee us a victory.”
The Springboks have 12 surviving starters from the final and 20 of their World Cup squad in the matchday 23. Erasmus retained the 6-2 forwards-backs split in the reserves that was so impactful.
He said they considered a 7-1 split.
“We felt that this (6-2) combination is the best to counter the challenge Ireland poses,” he said.
Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel will become the most-capped midfield in South African history when they combine for a 30th test.
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South Africa: Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Handré Pollard. Faf de Klerk; Kwagga Smith, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche. Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Salmaan Moerat, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Grant Williams, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby