Springboks

Chief rugby correspondent at the Irish Independent, Ruaidhri O'Connor, has reported that the home side will wear their navy blue 'alternate' kit against the ...

Saturday’s jersey is more likely add to, rather than eliminate, confusion. Is there anything more to this than a cynical attempt to sell merchandise? It was a disaster 5 years ago and it will be a disaster again. Don't need to be color blind to have trouble this weekend. The original green would be far more distinctive. [November 1, 2022]

Heineken Champions Cup newcomers Cell C Sharks, DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls provide more than half South Africa's starting XV for their Test against.

“Damian (Willemse) has done well for us at fly-half and he is continuing to grow as a player in that role. DHL Stormers have three in fly-half Damian Willemse plus props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe, while wing Kurt-Lee Arendse is the solitary Vodacom Bull. Heineken Champions Cup newcomers Cell C Sharks, DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls provide more than half South Africa’s starting XV for their Test against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday.

Planet Rugby features writer Dylan Coetzee discusses five talking points from the Springboks' starting XV against Ireland.

There is a lot to be excited about with the Springboks’ back three as long as they can execute the fundamentals of defensive positioning, tactical kicking and competing well in the air. The only downfall of Willemse at 10 is that his goal-kicking could be more consistent. This second-row pairing picks itself and is racking up an impressive tally of caps as a duo. However, looking at the tight five, Nienaber has selected world-class players, all of which have more than 50 Test caps. In fairness, there has never been a great temptation to push the superstar to full-back because of how effective he has been on the wing. Outside centre is a crucial position within the defensive structure that the Springboks play, and decision-making will be paramount. Both Kolbe and Arendse are great in the air, but Ireland and Johnny Sexton are a very clever side who will look for ways to exploit this. It will be a fascinating battle between a wise, calculated player and a young, instinctual prodigy. Kriel, on the other hand, has a big role to play. The hot-stepping star has played a significant portion of his club career at full-back, particularly during his time at the Stormers but has never started a Test match in the 15 jersey. His ability to beat defenders, distribute brilliantly, kick well out of hand and composure in decision-making make him the obvious and effective choice at fly-half. Now Nienaber has two hot steppers alongside the prolific Makazole Mapimpi in the back three.

Cheslin Kolbe will play his first test at fullback when he makes a return to the South Africa team against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, coach Jacques ...

"Ireland are the top ranked team in the world currently and they've shown in the past that they can be a force to be reckoned with in Dublin," he said. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story "Damian has done well for us at flyhalf, and he is continuing to grow as a player in that role, while we think Cheslin has the potential to add a new dimension to our game at fullback," Nienaber told a virtual news conference.

Cheslin Kolbe's move to fullback is hardly one being made out of the blue ahead of the Boks' meeting with Ireland, it's just a plan that hasn't materialised ...

"We had a good look at Ireland and the challenges they'll pose. He's very skilful and that's the advantage of having a versatile guy like him. "We're going with that strategy, so Cheslin will be our flyhalf cover. But we feel this specific game, having him, there will serve us the best." He played there often when the club tried to manage Romain Ntamack. "We were just never forced or required to play him there.

South Africa are boosted by the return of Cheslin Kolbe at full-back for Saturday's Test with world number one side Ireland in Dublin.

They will draw confidence from that. "This match is important for us for many reasons, one of which is to test our player combinations with the World Cup less than a year away." "Ireland are the top-ranked team in the world currently and they've shown in the past that they can be a force to reckoned with in Dublin.

Springboks boss Jacques Nienaber has explained the logic of his six/two 'bomb squad' split to face Ireland ten months out from RWC clash.

They are well-balanced and that is why they are No1 in the world, that is why is such a challenge for us to come and compete against Ireland in Ireland in the Aviva, which is a fortress for them. Then the French, Six Nations champions, No2 in the world. If you look at Ireland across the board, there is a reason why they are currently No1 in the world and they have beaten [Ireland](https://www.rugbypass.com/teams/ireland/) this weekend, adding that the November tour opener in Dublin is ideal given that the teams will clash again just ten months from now at the World Cup. Ireland week one, No1 in the world. How pivotal an Autumn Nations Series is it with that World Cup pool encounter now just ten months away? It’s a nice challenge before the World Cup knowing we are going to play them in the pool stages.” [Italy](https://www.rugbypass.com/teams/italy/) did in the [Six Nations](https://www.rugbypass.com/six-nations/) against [Wales](https://www.rugbypass.com/teams/wales/) in the last game, and then we move on to England. “We are happy that we have a tour like this before you go into a World Cup and for everybody, this will be a big tour – for us, for Ireland, for England, for teams that are touring, New Zealand, Australia because you want to build some momentum going into the World Cup.” “They have got a well-balanced game. “For both sides, it will be important to have a proper performance and what you would like a year out before a World Cup is you want to play the No1 team in the world away from home and you want to test yourself against them. We all know one of Ireland’s strengths is their multi-phase attack, their fitness, and the speed of their breakdown so we think selecting that combination will serve us the best.

PICKING ONE of the most thrilling players to ply their trade in the United Rugby Championship last season as a key man may not seem too much of a vault. However ...

The coach adds: “Talk about the DNA of the region, he epitomises it the most. Which is why you’d get it if Willemse focused on Test status at a time when he was hurt for the Stormers and play-offs began. “Before the Test season, Damian was still trying to establish himself in the Springboks team. Seen as an eventual heir to Willie le Roux at 15 for the Springboks, he has stepped in at fly-half recently. However, last season, Manie Libbok came in to the ten shirt and Warrick Gelant (now at Racing 92) made full-back his own home. Which makes the Stormers’ Cinderella league win last season – and Willemse’s role in it – all the sweeter.

On Saturday, the world champion Springboks will play at a sold-out Aviva Stadium for the first time in five years against an Ireland side that is currently the ...

Yet months roll by and nothing is done. [November 1, 2022] [November 2, 2022]

Ox Nche reveals what set him on the rugby path in a new YouTube series showcasing how the sport has influenced the current crop of Springboks.

[MORE: Bok outcast: I was in a WhatsApp group](https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/bok-outcast-whatsapp-group/) “I was at soccer practice and the coach asked me, ‘Why don’t you try rugby?’, so I told him straight up no, that’s too rough,” says Nche, who made his Bok debut in 2018 and was named on the bench to face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday. First up in one of 10 videos to be launched by SA Rugby, titled ‘How rugby changed my life’, loosehead prop Nche explains how he had no interest in rugby and was dead-set on making a name for himself chasing footballs on soccer fields across the Free State.

The Springboks and Ireland will clash for the 27th time in their long history on Saturday, 5 November at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

[HOW THE SPRINGBOKS CAN RETURN TO NUMBER 1 IN THE WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS](https://www.thesouthafrican.com/sport/rugby/springboks/how-springboks-can-return-number-1-in-world-rugby-rankings-breaking-30-october-2022/) This is a great opportunity to build momentum!” A year out from the World Cup, you really do want to play against the No 1 team in the world, and test yourself. Win % 69%. “This will be a really big game, especially if you have an eye on the World Cup, because we are in the same pool. Kick-off is at 19:30 (SA time).

Clean sweep: Nienaber aims for Bok cleanout on tour, but understands tough task awaits. Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber is well aware of how the quartet of ...

3h ago 4h ago

Updated 40 minutes ago. FORMER SPRINGBOKS HOOKER and current SuperSport analyst Hanyani Shimange joined The42 Rugby Weekly Extra podcast today to provide ...

[Become a Member](https://members.the42.ie/?utm_source=the42&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=rugby-autumn-2022) [members.the42.ie](https://members.the42.ie/). [The42.ie](https://www.youtube.com/c/The42Ie)/YouTube

Meet new Springbok recruit Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's brother, Nathan, the London-based former cricketer-turned-model, who starred in a UK Netflix hit ...

The Boks will look to avenge their humiliating 2017 loss, and also set down a maker for France 2023 for when the two teams are set to meet during the pool ...

Hopefully, he has found some form in the last few weeks, and a bit more confidence. They have selected arguably their best front-row, while Nienaber has also opted for a 6-2 split on the bench. This time around, he will do so in the unfamiliar No 15 jersey. A colour clash is on the cards … On TV though, it will probably all look the same. It is just ever so slightly different enough up-close to differentiate with the bottle green and gold of the Boks.

South Africa have named Cheslin Kolbe at full-back for their opening Autumn Nations Series fixture against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

“Obviously we are a long way out from the World Cup, but we have a limited number of matches left before the competition and the preparation doesn’t get better than playing a side we will face in the World Cup and the number one side in the world. “Ireland are the top ranked team in the world currently and they’ve shown in the past that they can be a force to reckoned with in Dublin,” said coach Nienaber. “Damian Willemse can also move to inside centre if we need cover there, while Damian de Allende can play outside centre and Willie full-back, and this allowed us for us to opt for a six-two split on the bench.” [Kolbe](https://www.planetrugby.com/tag/cheslin-kolbe) will also provide fly-half cover on Saturday, saying: “Cheslin has delivered star performances for his clubs in France at fly-half, so he will slot in as a back-up fly-half if necessary, while Faf is another option for us at number 10 as well. “Damian (Willemse) has done well for us at fly-half, and he is continuing to grow as a player in that role, while we think Cheslin has the potential to add a new dimension to our game at full-back. “He was sidelined for a while after breaking his jaw against Wales, but he has played four 80-minute matches for Toulon since returning to play, and we are confident that he will step up to the challenge.”

Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Deon Fourie and Kwagga Smith will act as cover for the starting unit of Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, ...

One of their strengths is their multi-phase attack, their fitness, and the speed of their breakdowns. [Springboks looking to avenge humiliating 2017 loss to Ireland](/sport/rugby/springboks/springboks-looking-to-avenge-humiliating-2017-loss-to-ireland-fa6aaa6a-e938-49c4-8ea2-0f7843ed41a7) [Are Springboks going all-in with exciting back three, or is it a bluff?](/sport/rugby/springboks/are-springboks-going-all-in-with-exciting-back-three-or-is-it-a-bluff-d9f2e3c3-8224-4f0b-bf18-742467127274) [He’s back! On Tuesday, at the team announcement for Saturday’s match, it was revealed that Nienaber had opted for six forwards and two backs as his replacements.

SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus will celebrate turning the big 5-0 in Dublin on Saturday. Congrats!

I love rugby, match days, and being in the change room with the boys. Any of the top teams in the world can win the tournament next year. Rassie Erasmus played down the anniversary of the Springboks’ World Cup final triumph in Japan on 2 November 2019: “That was three years ago, and we are now looking ahead at the next World Cup. So, we have to make smart plans against them and our defence has to be on point. Zoning in on the challenge he expected from the hosts, who are currently the No 1 team in the world, Erasmus said: “World rankings are temporary, so one has to look beyond that and rather at the teams themselves. We last won here in 2012, but we both have new teams and new game plans.”

Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus has made it very clear that they have moved on from their World Cup triumph in 2019 and are more concerned with France 2023.

“It was within the protocols and the laws to be a water carrier, but I will be in the coach's box with the coaches on Saturday,” he laughed. “So until 2019, I had never experienced first-hand what a World Cup win does for South Africa. “The focus is now on what is around the corner and we can see it is going to be a very closely contested World Cup — we saw how Scotland pushed Australia last week and could have won if that last-minute kick had gone over.

With Nike set to take over as the official kit supplier for the Springboks, your days of saying South Africa in Asics clobber are numbered. So as we settle in ...

The side panels and back-stripe of burning yellow might feel incongruous for the supporters version but c’mon… Collar aside, though, the rest of the front-on design is unfussy, and the two badges don’t feel ironed-on. With Nike set to take over as the official kit supplier for the Springboks, your days of saying South Africa in Asics clobber are numbered.

Stephen Ferris has urged Ireland to consider wearing a white jersey against the Springboks, rather than the recently revealed alternate kit.

Pictured at the launch of the heritage jersey are former Ireland internationals Fiona Coghlan and Stephen Ferris, in Toner’s Pub, Baggot St, Dublin. The Heritage jersey is available now via Intersport Elverys in store and via “I think it was the case that it was going to be the alternate jersey and South Africa wearing green, but now there’s so much chit chat about it, it might change. I know that Rassie Erasmus, off the back of South Africa’s Rugby Championship and playing some half decent rugby, will have his boys completely fired up. It’s a quick and easy fix just to get the jerseys sorted out.” Johnny Sexton wants to write his name into the history books even more. “We haven’t seen if they can or not yet. If there is any doubt whatsoever then maybe Ireland should wear white, or South Africa should wear white. “If they can get this performance right and get the win, everyone across world rugby will be talking about Ireland as one of the favourites for the World Cup.” So if they win by whatever means possible then they can say that they can. Can they do it? “It should be very easy to distinguish who is who.

The All Blacks were thoroughly outclassed in every facet of the game in the final two tests with flyhalf Johnny Sexton back on the field, resulting in a ...

Steyn was the established goal kicker they needed, they were able to construct a comfortable 38-21 win in Durban with the 35-year-old at flyhalf. Armed with a pack that dominates up front and wins penalties, the flyhalf is a backseat passenger along for the ride. They have not named another experienced goal kicker like Steyn in the 23, opting for a 6-2 split and cover at scrumhalf and fullback. They lost by two points, putting his costly miss under the spotlight. Their defence has also been incredibly strong under Farrell, outside of a chaotic twenty minute period at Eden Park in the first test against the All Blacks. The Boks have what it takes to trouble or limit Ireland’s attack much like France, which will put Ireland’s decision-making in scoring range in focus. Willemse will have to deliver. In a different system, he could really deliver something special. Ireland have 15 wins and one loss at the Aviva since 2020 under Andy Farrell. They bounced back to beat [England](https://www.rugbypass.com/teams/england/) in a dead rubber in 2018 and a 13 point loss to [Australia](https://www.rugbypass.com/teams/australia/) in 2021 have been their largest since. [All Blacks](https://www.rugbypass.com/teams/new-zealand/) were thoroughly outclassed in every facet of the game in the final two tests with flyhalf [Johnny Sexton](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/johnny-sexton/) back on the field, resulting in a historic series win over [New Zealand](https://www.rugbypass.com/teams/new-zealand/) in July.

Since a knee injury in 2018, the only time you find Makazole Mapimpi not involved in a Bok XV is when the so-called A team is being rested.

Since a knee injury in 2018, the only time you find him not involved in a Bok XV is when the so-called A team is being rested. In a year when the Springbok back three has gone through several alterations, for several reasons, the mainstay has been Makazole Mapimpi. His try, for anyone paying attention, was an omen of things to come, even though at the time Springbok coaches had occupied their minds with Sbu Nkosi and Aphiwe Dyantyi as they tried to find their feet as management.

Springbok lock Lood de Jager said they need to have a far better day at the Aviva Stadium than they had on 11 November 2017.

"It's hard to forget. "We've had a look at that and they're a very clever team," De Jager said. "We hope to have a better day in the office than we had that day." Springbok lock Lood de Jager says they need to have a far better day at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday than they had on 11 November 2017. De Jager said they're in a far better space than they were nearly five years ago when they were crushed by the hosts. - Springbok lock Lood de Jager says they need to have a far better outing at the Aviva Stadium than they did nearly five years ago.