{"id":293147,"date":"2023-09-19T18:35:15","date_gmt":"2023-09-19T18:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=293147"},"modified":"2023-09-19T18:35:15","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T18:35:15","slug":"south-africa-take-team-selection-risk-for-ireland-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/rugby-union\/south-africa-take-team-selection-risk-for-ireland-clash\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa take team selection risk for Ireland clash"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Lock Eben Etzebeth has been passed fit to play for South Africa against Ireland in their Rugby World Cup Pool B fixture in Paris as coach Jacques Nienaber has controversially opted for seven forwards and just one back on the bench.<\/p>\n
Etzebeth, a major enforcer in the Springbok pack, had been struggling with a shoulder problem picked up in the 18-3 victory over Scotland, but will line up with Franco Mostert in the second row.<\/p>\n
It is the same starting XV that defeated the Scots, bar Bongani Mbonambi at hooker as he replaces Malcolm Marx, who has since been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.<\/p>\n
Deon Fourie and Marco van Staden \u2013 the latter of whom is normally a back-rower \u2013 are the replacement hooker options, while the Munster lock pairing of Jean Kleyn, a former Ireland international, and RG Snyman are also on the bench. Back-up scrum half Cobus Reinach is the only back among the eight replacements<\/p>\n
South Africa team<\/strong>: 15. Damian Willemse; 14. Kurt. Lee Arendse, 13. Jesse Kriel, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe; 10. Manie Libbok, 9. Faf de Klerk; 1. Steven Kitshoff, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 3. Frans Malherbe, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Franco Mostert, 6. Siya Kolisi, 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8. Jasper Wiese<\/p>\n Replacements: <\/em><\/strong>16. Deon Fourie, 17. Ox Nche, 18. Trevor Nyakane, 19. Jean Kleyn, 20. RG Snyman, 21. Marco van Staden, 22. Kwagga Smith, 23. Cobus Reinach.<\/p>\nRecommended<\/h3>\n
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