Is this how the Springboks will line up for first Ireland Test?
Is this how the Springboks will line up for first Ireland Test?
The Springboks have no shortage of options for the opening Test against Ireland next weekend, with 39 players having been included in an expanded squad.
A host of World Cup winners have now been reunited, while there are also some newcomers in the mix, including four uncapped players.
It’s unlikely that Rassie Erasmus will stray too far from the tried and tested selections for the highly anticipated opening clash against Ireland, though, and this is how we think the run-on XV will look.
Possible Springboks v Ireland Test line-up
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
For the most part, this is largely an automatic starting line-up selection, but it could be a bold move to select Fassi to continue at fullback ahead of veteran Willie le Roux.
However, Fassi was simply sublime under the high ball against Wales, and with Ireland expected to bring a prolific aerial game, it would make sense for the Sharks star to receive another opportunity while Le Roux offers insurance on the bench.
The other noteworthy selection would be at No 8, where Evan Roos is surely set for the biggest test of his young career as he remains the only real specialist eighthman available for selection.
*What do you think of this team? Let us know by leaving a comment at the end of this article.
Squad for Incoming Series:
Forwards: Phepsi Buthelezi (Sharks), Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Racing 92), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92/Sharks), Evan Roos (Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Blu Revs), RG Snyman (Munster/Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels (all Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins/Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Wilie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Players on standby:Forwards: Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche (both Stormers), Celimpilo Gumede, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw (all Bulls), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Sharks), Ruben van Heerden (Stormers), Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers).
Backs: Suleiman Hartzenberg (Stormers), Jordan Hendrikse (Lions), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Siya Masuku (Sharks).