Springboks name unchanged side to meet Ireland

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer has stuck with the same starting fifteen who beat world champions New Zealand last time out in naming his side to play Ireland in the Springboks’ European tour opener in Dublin on Saturday.

The only change to the match-day 23 involved in the 27-25 defeat of New Zealand in Johannesburg last month – the All Blacks’ first loss in nearly two years – is on the bench where Coenie Oosthuizen takes over from the injured Marcel van der Merwe as replacement prop.

“Although Julian Redelinghuys was also considered, he’s still new in the team and not familiar with our patterns of play and especially the line-out calls, while Coenie knows the way we play well,” said Meyer.

“Coenie is also in great shape and we know what he can do, especially if he has to make an impact off the bench. It’s good to have him back.”

Meyer added he was pleased to have the rare chance of selecting the same starting fifteen for successive internationals as the Springboks look to back up the credentials as World Cup contenders they established during the Rugby Championship with a strong showing in the northern hemisphere.

“It’s only the fifth time in what will be the 34th test since I was appointed as Springbok coach that we’ve been able to select an unchanged starting line-up,” Meyer said.

“In this day and age, not making changes to teams is pretty much unheard of, but this is a great position we’re in.

“However, we need to make it count against a very tough Irish side on Saturday.”