Rassie Erasmus has named a powerful Springbok team to face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium this Saturday, with RG Snyman set to celebrate his 50th Test cap in Dublin, a city he now calls home. The team selection signals a clear intent to conquer Irish soil, a feat the Boks haven't achieved since 2012.
Erasmus Reverts to Core Side
Erasmus has largely reverted to the winning formula that dismantled France two weeks prior, making only two personnel changes to restore the experience deliberately rested for last week's match against Italy. This strategic move underlines the importance of this fixture.
Snyman's Special Milestone
RG Snyman reaching his 50th Test in Leinster territory adds significant emotional weight to an already highly anticipated contest. His journey has been marked by resilience, overcoming injuries to reach this significant milestone.
Changes in the Pack and Backline
Ruan Nortje steps into the starting XV for Lood de Jager, while Kwagga Smith returns to the bench. De Jager and Franco Mostert were unavailable due to disciplinary processes. In the backline, Canan Moodie replaces Kurt-Lee Arendse, who returned home due to a concussion. Cheslin Kolbe and Cobus Reinach are also approaching milestones, both sitting on 49 caps.
Erasmus's Strategy
Erasmus emphasized the plan to field a senior team against Ireland, stating, "The majority of this team were rested last week to ensure that they recover from the physically taxing match against France, and it was always our plan to name an experienced outfit against Ireland." He also praised Snyman's contribution, acknowledging his resilience and team spirit.
Ireland's Challenge
Erasmus acknowledged the difficulty of playing Ireland at home, stating, "They have a good balance of experienced and exciting young players … so it’s going to require a massive effort to beat them. This group of players have never won a match in Ireland before."
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