Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer on Wednesday named the same starting line-up that beat New Zealand a month ago to face Ireland in the opening Test of the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour in Dublin on Saturday.
The only change to the matchday squad is on the bench, where the injured Marcel van der Merwe is replaced by fellow prop Coenie Oosthuizen for the clash at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium (kick-off 17h30 local time; 1930 SA time).
“Although Julian Redelinghuys was also considered, he’s still new in the team and not familiar with our patterns of play and especially the line-out calls, while Coenie knows the way we play well,” said Meyer.
“Coenie is also in great shape and we know what he can do, especially if he has to make an impact off the bench. It’s good to have him back.”
Meyer was very happy with the continuity in selection from the last Test.
“It’s only the fifth time in what will be the 34th Test since I was appointed as Springbok coach that we’ve been able to select an unchanged starting line-up,” said Meyer.
“In this day and age, not making changes to teams is pretty much unheard of, but this is a great position we’re in. However, we need to make it count against a very tough Irish side on Saturday.
“Although we won our last Test, the challenge this week is to make another step up. It’s imperative that we improve in all facets of our play.”
The Springbok team to face Ireland in Dublin is:
15. Willie le Roux – 21 caps
14. Cornal Hendricks – 9 caps
13. Jan Serfontein – 16 caps
12. Jean de Villiers (captain) – 102 caps
11. Bryan Habana – 103 caps
10. Handré Pollard – 6 caps
9. Francois Hougaard – 32 caps
8. Duane Vermeulen – 25 caps
7. Teboho ‘Oupa’ Mohoje – 3 caps
6. Marcell Coetzee – 22 caps
5. Victor Matfield (vice-captain) – 117 caps
4. Eben Etzebeth – 29 caps
3. Jannie du Plessis – 60 caps
2. Bismarck du Plessis – 66 caps
1. Tendai Mtawarira – 61 caps
Replacements:
16. Adriaan Strauss – 40 caps
17. Trevor Nyankane – 9 caps
18. Coenie Oosthuizen – 17 caps
19. Bakkies Botha – 83 caps
20. Schalk Burger – 73 caps
21. Cobus Reinach – 2 caps
22. Pat Lambie – 36 caps
23. JP Pietersen – 56 caps
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Alexandre Ruiz (France)
Television Match Official: Jim Yuille (Scotland)
