On Tuesday, the Springboks unveiled their first matchday squad of this end-of-year tour, with a few key selections actually deserving some excessive reward.
BREAKING: BOKS MAKE SURPRISE SELECTION IN TEAM TO FACE IRELAND
For this primary sport in opposition to the world No 1 workforce, Ireland, there might have been a temptation to go the marginally extra conservative route of choosing veteran Willie le Roux at fullback.
Instead, the Bok coaches opted to boldly go in a unique route, deciding on Cheslin Kolbe to start out his first Test at fullback.
It’s actually a courageous name for this opening conflict, and highlights the Bok coaches willingness to assume exterior of the field on this significant tour.
ALSO READ | KOLBE COULD BE SEEN AT FLYHALF FOR BOKS
The Boks know that Damian Willemse is another choice at fullback, however with the 24-year-old at the moment performing a key position at flyhalf, a chance has arisen to see what Kolbe can supply at 15.
It additionally permits the Springboks to get one other have a look at speedster Kurt-Lee Arendse on the best wing, the place he produced a sensational efficiency in opposition to the All Blacks through the Rugby Championship earlier than receiving a suspension.
With Kolbe, Arendse and Mapimpi within the again three, the Boks all of the sudden boast a severe enhance of X issue, which could add actual dynamism to what they provide on assault.
In quick, that is undoubtedly one of the thrilling backlines the Springboks have chosen this 12 months, taking into consideration Lukhanyo Am remains to be set to return.
In the ahead pack, there will be no complains in regards to the selections up entrance, and it’s actually good to see Malcom Marx retaining the No 2 jersey after his sensational type within the Rugby Championship.
The ‘bomb squad’ bench gives tons of firepower, with Deon Fourie and Kwagga Smith serving as supreme affect forwards, whereas Faf de Klerk and Willie le Roux supply versatility and expertise among the many backs.
OPINION: MASSIVE BOK TOUR AWAITS DAMIAN WILLEMSE AT 10
SPRINGBOKS TEAM TO FACE IRELAND IN DUBLIN:
15 – Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon) – 20 caps, 50 pts (10t)
14 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 3 caps, 10 pts (2t)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 56 caps, 60 pts (12t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 66 caps, 45 pts (9t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 33 caps, 110 pts (22t)
10 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 23 caps, 19 pts (1t, 4c, 2p)
9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks) – 10 caps, 12 pts (2t, 1c)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 18 caps, 5 pts (1t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 64 caps, 15 pts (3t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 71 caps, 35 pts (7t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 64 caps, 25 pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks) – 106 caps, 15 pts (3t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 54 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 55 caps, 65 pts (13t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – 67 caps, 5 pts (1t)
Replacements:
16 – Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks) – 52 caps, 55 pts (11t)
17 – Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks) – 15 caps, 0 pts
18 – Vincent Koch (unattached) – 37 caps, 0 pts
19 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 59 caps, 10 pts (2t)
20 – Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers) – 3 caps, 0 pts
21 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 27 caps, 15 pts (3t)
22 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 42 caps, 25 pts (5t)
23 – Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 79 caps, 65 pts (13t)
EXCLUSIVE | HOW THE SPRINGBOKS CAN RETURN TO NUMBER 1 IN THE WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS
Springbok document in opposition to Ireland:
Played 26; Won 18; Lost 7; Drawn 1; Points for: 506, Points in opposition to: 380; Tries scored 69, Tries conceded 35; Highest rating 38-0; Biggest win 38 factors. Win % 69%.
Milestones:
- Siya Kolisi is the second most capped Springbok captain, having led the workforce in 41 Tests.
- Eben Etzebeth is the second most capped Springbok lock with 106 Tests.
- Etzebeth will equal Tendai Mtawarira and CJ van der Linde’s document of seven Test matches in opposition to Ireland.
Miscellaneous:
- The whole Test caps for the Springbok beginning line-up is 710.
- There are 211 caps within the backline with 499 caps amongst the forwards. On the bench there are an additional 315 caps.
- The common caps per participant within the backline are 30, the forwards 62, whereas the gamers on the bench common 39.
- Wille le Roux will play in his 80th Test match. He has performed 75 as fullback, trailing essentially the most capped fullback Percy Montgomery by 12 Tests within the No 15 jersey.