South Africa v Ireland: Rassie Erasmus names starting 12 for World Cup final to face tourists in first Test | Rugby Union News

Rassie Erasmus has named his 12-man starting line-up for the 2023 Rugby World Cup final as South Africa face Ireland in the first of two eagerly-anticipated tests at Loftus Stadium on Saturday.

Only full-back Willie le Roux, No.8 Kwagga Smith and centre Ox Nche did not start the 12-11 win over New Zealand in Paris in October last year, although they all came on as substitutes.

Handre Pollard is back in the opening role after missing the Springboks’ 41-13 win over Wales in London last month, along with several other first-choice players who missed the match as it took place outside the international window.

“We believe this is the team that will give us the necessary impetus against Ireland, who are the second-highest ranked team in the world,” Erasmus said.

“We are fortunate to have such a talented squad and are in a privileged position to have several Rugby World Cup winners in our ranks who know what it takes to perform at the highest level.

“The fact that most of these guys have played together is a bonus for us, and most of them have faced Ireland before so they are well aware of the challenge that lies ahead, especially as we haven’t beaten them since 2016.”

Only three players from the Springbok squad that played against Ireland did not feature in the World Cup triumph in France: centre Gerhard Steenekamp, ​​lock Salmaan Moerat and versatile defender Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Erasmus has opted for a 6-2 split between forwards and defenders on the bench, aided by the versatility of Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who can operate as a wide, centre and wing-back, and Grant Williams, who is usually a scrum-half but can also play on the wing.

Ireland have never won a Test series in South Africa but were the only team to beat the Springboks at last year’s World Cup, when they triumphed 13-8 in Paris before losing to New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

“South Africa are coming off a win against the Welsh where many of their best players were not involved, but now we see the courageous captain, Siya Kolisi, returning, leading a very experienced team,” said former South Africa striker Bryan Habana. Sky Sports News.

“They are up against an Ireland side without Johnny Sexton but, that said, Peter O’Mahony and his men have been open about their drive to go to South Africa and ensure they end their history of never having won a series in South Africa.

“It’s a test match between two of the best teams in the world trying to compete for the top spot.”

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk; 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Kwagga Smith.

Substitutions: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, ​​18 Vincent Koch, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

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