Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
2 April, 2026, 1:23 am
Central - 23°C Rain
2 April, 2026, 1:23 am Central - 23°C Rain

Springboks opts for 7 forwards on the bench as they name strong squad to face Ireland in RWC thriller

Springboks opts for 7 forwards on the bench as they name strong squad to face Ireland in RWC thriller

By Mosese Raqio
20/09/2023
[Image: Planet Rugby]

The Springboks have taken a different approach towards their upcoming 2023 Rugby World Cup clash against world number 1 Ireland this weekend after naming 7 forwards and only 1 backline on the bench in their 23-match day squad.

Head coach Jacques Nienaber has also named a formidable starting XV for this crunch match.

Steven Kitshoff, Bongi Mbonambi and Frans Malherbe will start in the front rows, Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert will start at locks with captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph Du Toit and Jasper Wiese completing the starting back rows.

Faf De Klerk and impressive Manie Libbok will start at half-back and flyhalf respectively, with Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse starting on the wings.

Damian De Allende and Jesse Kriel will pair up in the centres with Damien Williamse at fullback.

The bench also has a lot of firepower with Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, RG Synman, Marco Van Staden and Kwagga Smith covering the forward while Cobus Reinach will be the only backline replacement.

The Springboks will take on Ireland at 7am this Sunday in Paris.

Meanwhile, Italy will play Uruguay at 3.45am on Thursday in the first match of round 3 of the RWC pool matches.


DateTimeTeamTeam

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Fuel crisis remains at level 1- Immanuel
Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel says the Government has four levels of intervention with respect to the fuel crisis and we are at the first level...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Defence labels key witness “evasive” in Health Tender Trial
The defence lawyer for former Health Minister, Doctor Neil Sharma, Wylie Clarke has told former Procurement Officer at the Fiji Pharmaceutical and ...
3 hours ago

Fuel crisis remains at level 1- Immanuel
Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel says the Government has four levels of intervention with respect to the fuel crisis and we are at the first ...
3 hours ago

Do not remove fuel tax now as the money can be used to provide urgent relief - Prof. Prasad
My advice is not to remove the fuel tax now as the government will lose about $150 million which can be used to provide urgent relief to the most ...
4 hours ago

Family of murdered 13-year-old still waiting to lay him to rest as police remain silent
A grieving family continues to endure unimaginable pain as they wait for the chance to lay their 13-year-old son to rest with the dignity he deserves ...
7 hours ago

FICAC objects to Charters bail variation to travel to uncle's funeral saying he is a flight risk
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption has this afternoon objected to a bail variation application by British and Fijian citizen Charlie ...
8 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH

Fiji Sports Council Saga: Minister ready to repay business class air fare for wife as concerns grow about Sports Council deals
I was invited to travel to New Zealand by the Fiji Sports Council for a grassroots 7s tournament in 2024, I travelled business class but it was ...
27 days ago

National Talanoa Session on Illicit Drugs in Fiji: 2,400 drug-related cases recorded in 2025
The illicit drug situation in Fiji has been described as a national emergency, with 2,400 drug-related cases recorded in 2025. Minister for Policing ...
34 days ago

TOP