Confirmed: When Springboks will reveal team for first Ireland Test
Confirmed: When Springboks will reveal team for first Ireland Test
The Springboks wrapped up their training camp in Pretoria on Friday as they continued preparations for the opening Test of the Incoming Series against Ireland next Saturday.
After a somewhat experimental side opened the season with a good win over Wales, the Springboks returned to South Africa on Tuesday where they were joined by the rest of their team-mates named in Erasmus’ 39-man squad.
They had two further training sessions on Wednesday and closed off the week with their final field session on Friday morning. They will return home for the weekend to spend time with their families and reassemble in the city’s capital on Sunday.
It’s now been confirmed that Erasmus will name his matchday team to face Ireland on Tuesday, around midday.
The Springboks are braced for a massive Test battle against Ireland
Erasmus was pleased with the structures put in place as the squad prepared to move into full Test match mode next week.
“We had a good and productive training week despite our flight from London to South Africa being cancelled on Sunday night, and it was pleasing to see how the players who joined us this week stepped back into Test mode and got stuck in at training,” said Erasmus.
“Some of the players have been in our set-up for a while, which certainly assisted, and the new players also wasted no time familiarising themselves with the systems and we are pleased with how they slotted in.
“There is a huge excitement in the group for the challenge ahead and that was evident on and off the field this week. Everyone knows that a big step-up is required next week, but we are pleased with the momentum we built up by defeating Wales and getting international game time under the belt.
“Obviously with new members on our coaching staff, the overseas-based players and new recruits will have some work to do to ensure the entire group is fully aligned in terms of our new structures, but this week served as a good start in that process.”
Could the SA team look like this?
Earlier this week, we took a look at how we think the Springboks could shape up for the first Test against Ireland.
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.
*What do you think of this team? Let us know by leaving a comment at the end of this article.