South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus wants his first victory at Lansdowne Road on Saturday. The Springboks face Ireland in their crucial Autumn Nations Series clash.
Erasmus calls Ireland “a force to be reckoned with” ahead of the Dublin showdown. The 53-year-old coach has never won at the famous venue as a coach.
South Africa last defeated Ireland in Dublin during 2012. The Springboks have lost three consecutive matches at Lansdowne Road since then.
Erasmus suffered disappointment twice as Munster coach at the venue. Saracens beat his side in the 2017 Champions Cup semifinal. Scarlets defeated Munster in that season’s Pro12 final.
Ireland then beat his Springboks team 19 – 16 three years ago.
The defeats weigh heavily on the coach’s mind before Saturday’s match.
“I haven’t won at Lansdowne Road as a coach, even with Munster,” Erasmus admitted.
The coach won 11 of 13 matches this year with South Africa. However, he knows failure against Ireland will bring criticism from home supporters.
“If we don’t get it right, we’ll get a lot of flak,” Erasmus warned.
He has recalled most players who rested during last Saturday’s 32 – 14 Italy victory. The Springboks won the match, despite playing with 14 men for long periods.
Also read: South Africa again overcome red card to defeat Italy
Ruan Nortje replaces suspended lock Lood de Jager in the starting lineup. The coach promoted Nortje from the replacements bench for the Ireland clash.
Canan Moodie switches from centre to wing against Ireland. The positional change covers for Kurt-Lee Arendse’s concussion absence.
In reaction, 2007 World Cup winning Springbok André Pretorius says it is good to see that the Bokke are not underestimating the Irish outfit.
“They have selected the strongest possible side. I think the Boks know the Irish will be ready and primed for this match,” Pretorius said.
Erasmus guided the Springboks to World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023. However, he admits his team hasn’t played “brilliant rugby” consistently this year.
“We’ve never always played brilliant rugby,” the coach acknowledged.
He expects a close contest, even if both sides perform at their best.
RG Snyman will earn his 50th cap if selected from the bench. The Leinster lock plays in his adopted home city on Saturday.
Erasmus praised Snyman’s achievement despite injury setbacks throughout his career. “He deserves this achievement,” the coach stated about the milestone appearance.
The Springboks seek their first Dublin victory since Erasmus joined the coaching setup.
Starting XV: Damian Willemse; Canan Moodie, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain); Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx and Boan Venter.
Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Andre Esterhuizen, Grant Williams and Manie Libbok.
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