Snyman’s 50th Test fuels Springboks’ bid to break 13-Year Dublin drought

The Springboks would have relished marking RG Snyman’s 50th Test with a starting berth in Dublin on Saturday, but circumstance has handed him an equally crucial role.

Instead of leading from the first whistle, the towering lock will bring his trademark impact off the bench — a responsibility he has fully embraced as South Africa gear up for a bruising battle with Ireland.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus has selected his strongest possible side for the clash at the Aviva Stadium (7.40pm start) as the Boks look to end a 13-year wait for a victory in the Irish capital. He made only three changes to the team that beat France a couple of weekends ago.

“RG would’ve loved to start and play as long as he can — most players do — but he knows his role off the bench,” Erasmus said, acknowledging Snyman’s milestone at his club rugby home ground.

“We had a quick chat about it being his 50th game, and we asked whether it mattered that he plays off the bench. He said, ‘No problem, I totally understand.’

“He will run out in front to lead the team, and after that he will go to the bench. It will feel a bit weird, but he’s not worried about it and he’s willing to sacrifice for the team. It would’ve been lovely to start him, but the best thing for the team is to play him off the bench.”

In the starting XV, lock Eben Etzebeth, flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit, eighthman Jasper Wiese and hooker Malcolm Marx return and will be tasked with leading the forwards' charge against a formidable Irish pack. Rookie flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and scrumhalf Cobus Reinach resume their halfback partnership, while Canan Moodie is the only change from the team that beat France, replacing the concussed Kurt-Lee Arendse.

Erasmus said it will be a tricky match to navigate, but admitted the Boks are eager to get one over Ireland, having never beaten them in Dublin during his coaching tenure. South Africa’s last win in the Irish capital came in 2012.

“In the last couple of games, it wasn’t like we were far off beating them or completely outplayed. We were a bit underdone when we came here. It’s been a combination of things — like our Japan-based players not having played for five weeks, and in that game we had a bad start.

“Their technical accuracy in physical areas frustrated us, and we haven’t handled that well.”

Erasmus added that while they are happy and proud of the players nominated for World Rugby awards, their focus remains on what they can control — and that is the scoreboard on Saturday.

Still, he believes they must play in a way that supports the players’ nomination chances and brings them closer to those honours.

Springboks XV

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Boan Venter.

Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 André Esterhuizen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.

Ireland XV

15 Mack Hansen, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (captain), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 James Ryan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.

Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Paddy McCarthy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Cian Prendergast, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Tom Farrell.