Springboks: Rassie Erasmus handed HUGE back three boost for Ireland series

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Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has been handed a major boost to his back three playing stocks for the opening Test match against Ireland at Loftus Versfeld.

With Damian Willemse ruled out of the series due to a hand injury, there was always going to be a change to the starting back three from the one that ran out for the Rugby World Cup final victory over New Zealand.

Ahead of the series, the Boks looked as if they would need an entirely new trio, with Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse sustaining injuries in the build-up.

However, Erasmus has been given a timely boost and looks set to deploy a threatening back three against Ireland.

Willie le Roux boost

According to a report by respected Afrikaans newspaper, the Rapport, Willie le Roux will start the opening Test match against Ireland having recovered from the concussion he sustained in the United Rugby Championship semi-final victory over Leinster.

The veteran full-back missed the Bulls’ final as they lost to Glasgow Warriors, and there were doubts about whether he would recover in time to face Andy Farrell’s charges.

While Aphelele Fassi impressed against Wales in the Springboks’ first Test match of the year, Erasmus admitted that he still had several work-ons and is not expected to feature in the opening game against Ireland.

Meanwhile, Makazole Mapimpi and Edwill van der Merwe starred in the victory over Wales but both sustained niggles in the game and were monitored this week in training.

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The pair were both tipped to miss out on the 23 for the game at Loftus if Kolbe and Arendse – who both started all of the Rugby World Cup knockout matches – were fit, and that has proven to be the case.

Arendse recovered ahead of schedule to start for the Bulls in the URC final after sustaining a facial injury and the report adds that he will line up in the back three along with Le Roux and Kolbe.

As for Kolbe, there were also doubts about his fitness after the speedster sustained a knee injury during the Japan Rugby League One season. Upon returning to South Africa, the 30-year-old was released from the squad to seek further medical advice but returned ahead of the match against Wales to resume his rehabilitation.

The report adds that Erasmus is likely to favour a 5-3 bench split for the first Test of the year on home soil due to the fitness concerns of Faf de Klerk and the starting back three.