Joe Schmidt has made five changes to the Irish team that beat the Springboks and won Ireland’s first ever Test in South Africa, for the game on Saturday, 19th June – including a first cap for South African-born Quinn Roux.
Roux left South Africa in 2012 to play for Leinster, on what was originally only a short-term deal. Roux stayed on to play for Leinster for three years, before moving to Connacht. He qualifies for Ireland under the three-year residency rule. Roux will partner Devin Toner at lock.
The other changes in the team see Tadhg Furlong come in for Mike Ross in the front row, Stuart Olding replaces Luke Marshall in the centre and Craig Gilroy replaces Keith Earls on the wing.
Iain Henderson replaces CJ Stander, who was red carded in the last game and banned for this Test. Henderson comes in at 6, while Rhys Ruddok switches to no.7
Stander was playing his first game against his native country when he was red carded after a dangerous challenge on the Springbok out-half Pat Lambie. Ironically enough, both Stander and Lambie played together at U20 level for South Africa. Lambie had to be stretchered from the field after the challenge.
Reportedly, Stander immediately regretted his actions and made sure his former teammate wasn’t in any danger before retiring to the dressing room to compose himself. Later, after Ireland won the Test, he was reluctant to join in the on-the-pitch celebrations. At the post-match dinner, Stander apologised to Lambie for his actions.
Lambie will also miss the second Test, replaced by Elton Janjtes.
Ireland defeated South Africa last Saturday in an historic win for the country. It was the first time that Ireland had ever won a Test match against South Africa in South Africa.
It was an heroic win, especially considering that Ireland had to play for 60 minutes of the match with only 14 men. At one point, Ireland were reduced to13 men after Robbie Henshaw was sin-binned after a high tackle on Elton Janjtes.
Now, Ireland have a chance to make history by clinching the series. It would be Ireland’s greatest ever achievement in rugby, eclipsing both Grand Slam wins, in 1948 and 2009.
It will be a very tough game, though. The match will be at altitude, and the Springboks will not be looking to be embarrassed a second time in succession. Also the Irish players will be fatigued after their amazing defensive play in the last Test.
Ireland: Jared Payne (Ulster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Stuart Olding (Ulster), Craig Gilroy (Ulster), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Conor Murray (Munster); Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Rhys Ruddock (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Quinn Roux (Connacht), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Rory Best (Ulster, captain), Jack McGrath (Leinster)
Replacements: Richardt Strauss (Leinster), David Kilcoyne (Munster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Seán Reidy (Ulster), Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Tiernan O’Halloran (Connacht)
South Africa: Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Lionel Mapoe, Damian de Allende, Lwazi Mvovo; Elton Jantjes, Faf de Klerk; Tendai Mtawarira, Adriaan Strauss (capt), Frans Malherbe; Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit; Francois Louw, Siya Kolisi, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane, Julian Redelinghuys, Franco Mostert, Warren Whiteley, Rudy Paige, Morne Steyn, Ruan Combrinck.
Charl
Guest
No, no they don't treat the jersey with the respect it deserves. No-one who is given something on a plate, wthout working hard until you deserve to be given it, can be expected to respect what they are given. The Springbok should be shelved, Colin. I vote for the Zebras - seems fit. Vasbyt manne.
wardad
Guest
Surely new caps treat the jersey with the same reverence that the new All Blacks do ? If not maybe they need to walk past all those Bok jerseys in the Danie Craven Museum or at any of the other SA rugby institutions.Might help them connect with their history and imbue even more pride and passion for the Bok .I would think black players too would have to be proud of their predecessors wearing that jersey . Pride and not wanting to let down ones heroes and mates can help you dig your toes in and fight.
Colin Kennedy
Roar Guru
I am now very strongly in favour of abandoning the Springbok emblem. Mothball it and call them the Proteas, because they are not worthy to wear the Bok. The Springbok's time is over. I don't want this rabble besmirching a proud history.
Jack
Guest
If the Springboks don't smack them up this weekend then something is really wrong over there. Honestly, they should be winning by 10-20 every week against this Irish side. Something ain't right currently. Perhaps all the yearly complaining about the politics of SA rugby is really having an impact this year. So much crying wolf in the past to only come back and perform like the Boks of old has desensitized some of us to the possible realities.
superba
Guest
Pot H SA had their Lens moment last week ? I don't think they have yet realized what happened . They still have sushi smeared all over their faces .
sully
Roar Rookie
I hope they don't win by 40points I could handle a loss but if Ireland lost by that much there would be a fair few questions asked and even a few careers could end as quickly as they started. Ireland should show up a put up a fight but I think the third test will be the decider
We have been crying in our soup for 18 months, you should pay closer attention
Derm
Roar Guru
PS - what's with the shot of Simon Zebo? He's not even on tour?
Derm
Roar Guru
I hope that South Africa win it by 40 points. I couldn't handle another week of Bok fans wandering around the internet crying in their soup, wailing and gnashing their teeth. I remember when Ireland lost to Argentina in Lens in the RWC 1999. The bewilderment and arrogance that accompanied it. And they had to suffer the "indignity" of having to qualify for the next world cup in 2003. The shame, the shame. Former players still remember it to this day. It was national day of mourning as the media dined out on it. In fact it was the best thing that ever happened to Irish rugby. It woke up a generation of Irish rugby management, coaches and players. From 2000 onwards when Ireland finally went professional properly, results changed for them. There were lots of nearly had-its, triple crowns, before they finally won the Grand Slam in 2009. A heady great great day. (In my view beating SA in SA doesn't even come close to that win). SA had their Lens moment last week. They lost to Ireland. At home. Oh woe is me. The sky has fallen. The only way is up from here. Looking forward to the decider in Port Elizabeth on the 25th. I'm expecting to meet positive, exuberant Bok fans.
sully
Roar Rookie
I think SA will sneak it. Great selections by Joe given a lot of youngsters a shot at this level he don't stray to far from those he trusts that often. For me there is a few new combos and a very beefy Ireland back row that may expose us at one or 2 points during the game that may cost us. The Irish bench don't have as much punch as lasts week bench, it will be a performance that we can proud of but a loss I reckon hope I'm wrong of course
Harry Jones
Expert
G Henry says Bok passion is gone.
Harry Jones
Expert
Declan, nice article. The fortress is lightly defended. You have attacked Bok at the right time. The Irish warriors who get over the shallow moats and climb the small walls will find very polite defenders. The Bok captain (I forget his name) and General Kootchie Koo are out and about this week doing Hashtag PR "Work." They aren't practicing scrums and lineouts. Their focus is on NOT BEING PINGED. Lieutenant Stick blames Willie. The Polite General brought in sharpshooter Morne. The youngsters are happy to be Boks. There is no menace on the Bok line, except Thør and Etzebeth and Louw. All good boys now. Happy and polite.
They might as well, not much more for the Springboks left to defend.