The most experienced Springbok team ever named will look to wrap up their series against Ireland in the second Test at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday. Shaun Goosen previews.
South Africa v Ireland
Saturday 13 July 2024 – 17:05
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Rassie Erasmus will look to guide the Springboks to their fourth Hollywoodbets Kings Park win on the trot when they face Ireland on Saturday.
To Win Match
South Africa 24/100 | Draw 25/1 | Ireland 33/10
Handicap
South Africa (-9.5) 9/10 | Ireland (+9.5) 9/10
Rassie Erasmus’ starting XV, unchanged from last week, boasts a record 990 Test caps – three more than the side that started in the World Cup final win against New Zealand in October.
The Boks’ performance at Loftus Versfeld last week was far from perfect, with a fast start hampered by a series of unforced errors as the match wore on. They should be sharper and more clinical in Durban though as the players become increasingly accustomed to the more expansive style being implemented by attack coach Tony Brown.
Part of Brown’s new approach will see added impetus placed on Damian de Allende’s extraordinary distribution skills, with the Saitama Wild Knight’s centre partnership with Jesse Kriel set to surpass the legendary 29-Test combination of Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie this weekend.
Although he is deployed as the primary target setter in midfield due to the strength of his ball carrying, Brown recently called De Allende the best passer in the Bok squad as the Kiwi coach looks to get even more out of him and add more layers to the double world champions’ ball in hand game. It will be interesting to see what De Allende-centric tactics are deployed in Durban.
Ireland will be better suited to this match at sea level, and no doubt Andy Farrell and his coaching staff would have worked up more ways to trouble the Boks this weekend, though they will have setbacks with which to contend.
If the absence of Jamison Gibson-Park wasn’t enough for the tourists, they’ve been dealt further blows in the form of injuries to hooker Dan Sheehan and scrumhalf Craig Casey. In their places, Ronan Kelleher and Conor Murray are expected to start, with the veteran Murray enjoying a solid performance off the bench in Pretoria last week.
Verdict: Ireland (+9.5) 9/10
Expect the Springboks to edge another close one against Ireland, who have looked off the pace in Pretoria.
