The curtain will come down on Ireland’s two-game tour of the Republic on Saturday at a sold-out Hollywoodbets Kings Park. Last week’s thriller at Loftus Versveld – won 27-20 by the hosts – leaves the series finely poised ahead of the Durban Test.
Rassie Erasmus and his brains trust have opted to name an unchanged matchday 23, with several squad players released to play in the Currie Cup this weekend. This means that the side that walks out for the anthems on Saturday will be the most-capped matchday squad in Springbok history with 990 appearances between them, three more than the side that won the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand in 2023.
On the other hand, the Irish have been forced into several changes to their side. Talismanic midfielder Bundee Aki drops out of the side with a shoulder injury, with Gary Ringrose coming into the side. Ronan Kelleher and Conor Murray also come into the run-on XV in place of Dan Sheehan and Craig Casey as was widely expected. Interestingly, skipper Peter O’Mahony drops to the bench with Caelan Doris – who was outstanding last week – set to captain the side.
The biggest talking point from the first Test was the Springboks’ new attacking structure under Tony Brown. Seeing the likes of Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit galloping into space in the wider channels set pulses racing at Loftus. Of course, this more expansive style of play will take time to perfect, but the early signs look promising.
