Springboks Retain Experienced Lineup For Second Ireland Test
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an unchanged 23-man squad for the second Test against Ireland in Durban on Saturday (17:000, marking the most experienced starting lineup in Springbok history.
The team boasts a combined 990 test caps, surpassing the previous record of 987 set by the Rugby World Cup final team against New Zealand last year.
Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel will become the most-capped center pairing in South African history with their 30th test together.
Despite the team’s experience, Erasmus emphasizes the need for a strong performance: “We don’t select based on experience, but it shows the depth and quality we have. This statistic won’t win us the game, we need 80 minutes of good rugby.”
A few players will be released from the 39-man squad to participate in Carling Currie Cup matches this weekend. They’ll rejoin the Springboks on Sunday.
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[…] a different note, Erasmus has named an unchanged 23-man squad for the Durban encounter, marking the most experienced Springbok starting lineup in history […]
[…] The Boks, aware of the potential threat to their top ranking and fresh off their defeat to Ireland in last year’s Rugby World Cup group stage (where the Boks defended their title), understand that Ireland’s number two ranking is no fluke. The Irish stepped up when needed in Pretoria, prompting Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus to retain the same winning team for the second Test. […]