Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has named 11 changes to his squad to face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, with RG Snyman earning his 50th Test cap for South Africa.
Springbok prop Thomas du Toit and scrumhalf Grant Williams shot down talk by the local media that the Boks could approach Saturday’s Test against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium as a grudge match.
Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe emphasised the importance of capitalising on their point-scoring opportunities when the Boks line up against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, if they want to break their 13-year losing run against the Irish at the Aviva Stadium.
Springboks quartet Pieter-Steph du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, and Ethan Hooker have been nominated for the prestigious World Rugby Awards for 2026.
Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth said the Boks are looking forward to Saturday’s Castle Lager Outgoing Tour showdown against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium and added that it would be a “nice opportunity” to try to change their fortunes in Dublin, where they last won a Test in 2012.
The Springboks will host England, Scotland, and Wales in July 2026 as the new Nations Championship launches with a northern invasion of the southern hemisphere, where every match will count as teams aim to finish the season as the top Test side on the planet.
Experienced utility back Damian Willemse said the Springboks must be dialled in and ready for anything Ireland throw at them when the teams cross paths at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday in the penultimate Test of the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour.
Bongi Mbonambi and Ntuthuko Mchunu will join the Springboks in Ireland on Sunday as national coach Rassie Erasmus and his coaching team prepare for their final two clashes of the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour, against Ireland and Wales.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and coach Rassie Erasmus praised the team’s fighting spirit to beat Italy in their Castle Lager Outgoing Tour Test at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Saturday, despite receiving an early red card for the second week in a row, and said they are doing everything they can to avoid losing players on the field due to mistakes.
The Springboks had to dig deep to secure a 32-14 victory over Italy at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.