PHOTO: RODGER BOSCH / AFP
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named the squad that will take on Ireland in the most anticipated Castle Lager Incoming Series Test at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria at the weekend.
Back-to-back World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi will lead the 20-man squad that was named on Tuesday.
In a statement on Tuesday, SA Rugby mentioned that 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 as Erasmus welcomed back Kolisi, Willie Le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Handre Pollard, Marco van Staden, RG Snyman and Gerhard Steenekamp.
"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," said Erasmus.
"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 said he was excited to see what dimension Steenkamp, Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Salmaan Moerat would bring to the game
"Gerhard made a strong statement in the front row against Argentina in Buenos Aires last year and we were equally pleased with how easily Sacha slotted in and the contribution he made against Wales."
Explaining the reasoning behind the 6/2 split Erasmus said: "Sacha, similarly to Grant (Williams), also offers us additional options in the backline, as he can cover flyhalf and center, while Grant is efficient at scrumhalf and wing, which places us in a good position with the six-two split.
Erasmus also said he expects a physical onslaught from the visitors in front of a sold-out Loftus Versfeld crowd and said it would be a full-out battle for 80 minutes.
Springbok team to face Ireland at Loftus Versfeld:
15 - Willie le Roux
14 - Cheslin Kolbe
13 - Jesse Kriel
12 - Damian de Allende
11 - Kurt-Lee Arendse
10 - Handré Pollard
9 - Faf de Klerk
8 - Kwagga Smith
7 - Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 - Siya Kolisi (captain)
5 - Franco Mostert
4 - Eben Etzebeth
3 - Frans Malherbe
2 - Bongi Mbonambi
1 - Ox Nche
Replacements:
16 - Malcolm Marx
17 - Gerhard Steenekamp
18 - Vincent Koch
19 - Salmaan Moerat
20 - RG Snyman
21 - Marco van Staden
22 - Grant Williams
23 - Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
