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Erasmus Names Most Experienced Springbok Squad for Second Test Against Ireland

Posted : 11 July 2024

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has named an unchanged match-day 23 for the second Test against Ireland in Durban on Saturday, marking it as the most experienced Springbok lineup in the team's 133-year history. The starting XV, which secured a 27-20 victory over Ireland in the first Test in Pretoria, remains intact, with no changes made to the bench either.

 

This lineup boasts a combined 990 Test caps, surpassing the previous record of 987 caps held by the team that played in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand. Erasmus emphasized the depth and quality of his squad, noting that while the experience is impressive, it does not guarantee victory, and the team must perform well for the full 80 minutes to secure a win.

 

Captain Siya Kolisi will again lead the Springboks, aiming for a second consecutive victory against Ireland. Flyhalf Handre Pollard retains his position despite a challenging kicking performance in the first Test, while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel will set a new record as the most-used Springbok center pairing with their 30th game together. Lock Eben Etzebeth moves closer to breaking Victor Matfield's record of 127 caps, as he earns his 122nd cap in Durban.

 

Erasmus acknowledges the formidable challenge posed by Ireland, ranked second in the world, and anticipates a stronger performance from them this week. Maintaining a 6-2 split between forwards and backs on the bench, the squad includes prop Gerhard Steenekamp, lock Salmaan Moerat, and utility back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the only three not part of the last World Cup-winning team.

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