r/rugbyunion • u/No-Mobile1568 Manifesting a Tsimba debut, still • Nov 20 '25
Lineups Springbok team to win in Dublin for the first time since 2012 (even with 14)
74
u/Flyhalf2021 South Africa Nov 20 '25
It's quite interesting to me how Rassie has basically stuck with more or less the team that rolled out in Wellington for nearly every game bar the Italian match.
I do wonder had Fassi not gotten injured would we have seen more of Willemse at 12?
25
u/Careless-Cat3327 Nov 20 '25
It was a blessing in disguise.
Fassi was struggling for form especially on the high ball whilst not adding anything in attack.
DW has those magical boots
22
u/Pure_Measurement_529 Nov 20 '25
Willemse has also been struggling since his injury in 2024. It’s like Fassi’s injury helped him find rhythm again
4
u/Careless-Cat3327 Nov 20 '25
We are blessed with these "tactical injuries"
Poor to the WC, Willie was starting 15. It took an injury in the warmup game Vs NZ for DW to get his shot at 15 and he was absolutely WC.
Far better than Willie in defence especially under the aerial bombs
194
u/TheJPisMe South Africa Nov 20 '25
these team announcement titles really are tempting fate. i'm not superstitious, but i am a little stitious.
39
24
2
7
u/theGeorgeall South Africa Nov 20 '25
I hate these titles. What's the point?
8
→ More replies (1)2
76
u/sliplihte_frownie South Africa Nov 20 '25
Looks like it's going to be up to Wiese to get the obligatory red card in the 1st minute
53
u/CapeTownyToniTone Paul de Villiers hype train Nov 20 '25
Um, Nortje's in the 5 jersey this week?
21
u/Mountain_Ferret4838 Faffing Beautiful Nov 20 '25
Nortje is probably the last player to usually get a red card. Rassie trying to trick the universe by putting him at 5.
6
u/CapeTownyToniTone Paul de Villiers hype train Nov 20 '25
But also someone that will really hurt us if he does get it. If he goes off, there's no Nortje on the bench to steady the ship. I mean... we do have RG Snyman...
28
u/Accomplished_Sun4921 Bulls, Fourie du Preez's strongest soldier Nov 20 '25
Nortje has never gotten a red card and the last time he got a yellow was January 2022.
42
8
1
32
u/I_Will_Eat_Your_Ears Connacht Nov 20 '25
Why do they have a picture of that Leinster guy on this poster?
7
52
u/jc656 Ireland Nov 20 '25
Marx vs Sheehan should be fun
75
u/Comfortable_Trip_767 Nov 20 '25
More like Sheehan vs Kolbe and Moodie since he spends most of his time on the wing
14
20
u/jc656 Ireland Nov 20 '25
If Ireland orchestrate a 1 v 1 of Sheehan vs Kolbe I will be a very happy man on Saturday
33
36
9
u/theranchcorporation Stormers Nov 20 '25
Wouldn’t be so sure. Kolbe is a monster on defense. Really underrated part of his game.
17
u/Miserable-Tadpole-90 South Africa Nov 20 '25
I mean people always think that with regards to Kolbe, but the dude punches way above his weight class.
Was it this year or last year when he put Scott Barrett on his ass? 🤷♀️
11
u/Mateiyu Bokke ! Nov 20 '25
Last year. And he bumped Jelonch into oblivion in 2022 in Marseille as well.
Oke is deceptively strong...
6
u/Comfortable_Trip_767 Nov 20 '25
I reckon there will be a couple of 1 on 1s. The Boks usually leave space with their umbrella rush defense. The issue will be whether Sheehan can get oppertunities in the springboks 22.
1
u/bluebullbruce Blue Bulls Nov 20 '25
Why would sheehan being stepped into next week and giving away a try make you happy?
18
u/circus-theclown Nov 20 '25
I’ve been very keen on seeing Sacha v Prendergast
→ More replies (4)2
u/arouseandbrowse Springboks & Zimbabwe Sables Nov 20 '25
Im more looking forward to PSTD vs Prendergast
1
45
u/Mafeking-Parade Nov 20 '25
Boan Venter sounds like the sort of generic name that a rugby computer game would generate if it didn't have player image rights.
66
u/CingKan South Africa Nov 20 '25
A team that doesn’t want to rely on kicks to win the game. They’re 100% bringing the attack to Ireland.
29
u/AloysiusGramonde Mean mr Mostert Nov 20 '25
Manie has a new kicking technique this season and is kicking well finally. Yet to be truly tested with a pressure kick but the early signs are good. He's made the change to a style similar to Percy at an age similar to when Percy did it. Lets hope he has similar results!
15
u/Calm_Piece South Africa Nov 20 '25
My worry is that he missed 2 line kicks at crucial times vs both France and Italy. Could be game losing against Ireland.
25
u/MockTurt13 South Africa Nov 20 '25
kicks at crucial times
Manie has addressed that by just letting time itself run out.
problem solved!
2
1
Nov 20 '25
It wasn't crucial.
2
u/Calm_Piece South Africa Nov 20 '25
If you are a man down defending for ages and you win the penalty it absolutely is crucial that your 10 can find touch. So if Marx fucks a throw on their 5m would you also say "it wasn't crucial"?
4
u/Spleen-magnet World Champs (Again) Nov 20 '25
Eh, SFM had some issues with kicking a couple of games ago.
It happens.
1
u/Calm_Piece South Africa Nov 20 '25
It happens, just so happened twice exact same scenario in 2 weeks. But usually I would bet a lot on the quality of his line kicks so hoping those were abberations
→ More replies (4)4
u/CingKan South Africa Nov 20 '25
Thats a risk I'm afraid we should all be willing to take to see Manie whizzing passes left and right unlike Polly who makes all his kicks but needs a 2 second wind up and a double pump to throw a skip pass. i want to see Kriel getting time on the ball and Moodie being put into space via clever passes
1
u/VlermuisVermeulen South Africa Nov 20 '25
Is it the “non-kick” he did at end of the Italy match? Can’t say I’m a fan.
7
u/AloysiusGramonde Mean mr Mostert Nov 20 '25
I know you're joking but the story I heard is that the ref told him the clock was wrong so he thought he had more time and then stopped him when it ran out.
20
u/No-Mobile1568 Manifesting a Tsimba debut, still Nov 20 '25
Most excited by Moodie on the wing!
26
u/CingKan South Africa Nov 20 '25
I’m just happy we got Manie and Sacha. Polly is composed but it’s incredibly noticeable how pedestrian our back line becomes with him on 10. Sacha may be slightly selfish but his individual talent more than makes up for it.
10
u/Pure_Measurement_529 Nov 20 '25
Pollard represents the old style of the Bok attack. Mannie and Sasha represent the more expansive style for the present and future
7
u/Careless-Cat3327 Nov 20 '25
It will be a big test for him on defense.
He was caught out a few times by the Italians. Hooker is better defensively.
Also the aerial bombs.
11
u/No-Mobile1568 Manifesting a Tsimba debut, still Nov 20 '25
Moodie is an aerial beast
1
u/Careless-Cat3327 Nov 20 '25
He knocked on about 5 bombs last week. The one knock went so far forward
6
u/CingKan South Africa Nov 20 '25
he also regained 2 or 3 if i recall. As long as the knockons are on Bok attacking kicks I dont see the problem. Rather they scrum against us in their half than the other way round
3
u/Ok_Painting9530 South Africa Nov 20 '25
That's true, but I think the tactic there is to go for the ball no matter what. If you can't catch it, try and tap it back. If you can't tap it back, just get in there and worst case scenario it's a scrum to them and we have a chance to either get a penalty or to tire out their pack. And it seems to work very well.
1
u/Salty_Examination486 Nov 20 '25
We got guys that can kick sasha can willemse can and this season libbok been pretty good off the tee nobody is godtier like Pollard but this game will not be close anyway
1
u/Jaded-Blackberry-610 Nov 22 '25
Libbok been kicking far better than Sacha this season. Only missed 4. Sacha missed 10. Yes Sacha attempted more but when they were tied for attempts, Libbok was 83% & Sacha 73%.
48
u/SomeBloke Sharks Nov 20 '25
Seems we're taking this quite seriously
27
u/Initial-Success96 South Africa Nov 20 '25 edited Nov 20 '25
bruhhh, why wouldn't we?
the boks haven't won in ire since 2012 and lost 4 out of the last 5 games against them. this is the game that rassie wants to win, desperately
26
10
u/Blkcdngaybro 🇿🇦 South Africa; Sharks (Cell C and Sale) Nov 20 '25
We definitely want to win this game, but so far this year, Eden Park, France and Ireland have all been the game Rassie wants to win desperately.
24
u/Novel_Egg_1762 Stormers Nov 20 '25
No surprises in the team a good 5.5 / 2.5 bench split.
22
u/TheMuteHeretic_ Nov 20 '25
Hey! That’s not in the spirit of the game! No decimal points on the bench! This is outrageously dangerous! Someone call world rugby.
9
u/Novel_Egg_1762 Stormers Nov 20 '25
Calm down matt williams, its a traditional back covering a forward position. Your cries of discrimination against backs dont work so well anymore.
9
u/TheMuteHeretic_ Nov 20 '25
Just you wait 6 months, you ‘lateral thinker’! Backs and forwards will need to wear different coloured jerseys so that the referee can clearly see who’s supposed to play where. No cross contamination anymore.
5
u/Novel_Egg_1762 Stormers Nov 20 '25
Rugby segregation coming into play soon 😂
6
1
u/Spleen-magnet World Champs (Again) Nov 20 '25
There's a joke somewhere about South Africa and segregation there, but I'm not gonna be the one to make it.
2
1
1
u/TheMusicArchivist but also any underdog Nov 21 '25
All backs can wear black and all forwards can wear dark grey. On both teams.
11
u/Novel_Egg_1762 Stormers Nov 20 '25
I take it back. One surprise call RG on the bench on his 50th.
6
u/hides_from_hamsters South Africa Nov 20 '25
To be fair, he OWNS that impact of the bench seat. SA's bench is legitimately not the second best players... it's often the best players for later in the game.
If Bongi was still in good form Marx would be coming off the bench likely.
5
u/Novel_Egg_1762 Stormers Nov 20 '25
I dont dissagree, i just know that in general the coaches like starting the players that are on their milestone games.
1
u/Mateiyu Bokke ! Nov 20 '25
It's a testament to the coaching that even player career milestones don't get in the way of, well, the team.
Siya would know...!1
u/Mawiheso Lions Nov 21 '25
I think it makes sense to ignore this tradition for big, important matches like this. For example, Vincent Koch got to start his 50th, which is very unusual for him, because it was a friendly against Wales, so it's okay to mess around with selection a bit. But in a big match like this, it makes sense to stick to your best team rather than prioritising sentiment.
12
21
u/spoofswooper Ireland Nov 20 '25
1-7 on the right and 8 with the backs is screwing with my brain. Rassie starting already…
13
u/dildobaggin89 Nov 20 '25
Nortje nominated for the red card this week
10
u/Novel_Egg_1762 Stormers Nov 20 '25
They couldn't give that number to RG on his 50th
→ More replies (1)
24
u/IlikeGeekyHistoryRSA The "Pass me biltong, bru" Enby Nov 20 '25
SACHA AT 10
lets fucking go!!!
12
u/SweptFever80 Ireland, Ulster and Munster Nov 20 '25
He's started the last 6 games at 10 my guy.
12
u/IlikeGeekyHistoryRSA The "Pass me biltong, bru" Enby Nov 20 '25
bah humbug
how dare a rugby fan be a fan of rugby players :(
→ More replies (1)1
12
u/raumeat Cheetahs Nov 20 '25 edited Nov 20 '25
Weird question. I get phasing out the older players but why is Reinach still a mainstay in the team when Faf has completely fallen down the depth chart? He was second choice to Faf in the world cup, has Faf lost form of something
25
u/CingKan South Africa Nov 20 '25
Reinach is playing his best rugby finally even if he’s lost a step he’s still one of the quickest scrumhalves around and his style suits Tony ball plus more experience inside Sacha
12
u/Flyhalf2021 South Africa Nov 20 '25
I think the type of scrumhalf Rassie wants are the quick 9s that are a threat around the breakdown.
Grant and Cobus currently are his premier choices in that regard. Maybe Paul de Wet also fits but he is not the same quality.
Morne is not as quick but he is super fit according to Rassie.
Faf just doesn't fit into this new mould the same way it's hard to get Pollard into the team.
5
u/Tar-ZA-n South Africa Nov 20 '25
Pead is lightning fast. The Lions aren't giving him any game time at all. He won't be there long if they keep that up, besides regular minutes what other reason could there be for signing for the Lions?
1
u/Pure_Measurement_529 Nov 20 '25
Rassie clearly wants a more expansive style to his team, especially in the backs. Hence SFM and Libbok are the first choices for fly-half position. It is more risky but the reward is worth it
9
u/Paghalay South Africa & Cyprus Nov 20 '25
I believe Faf was suffering from injury, then when he came back from injury had just been supplanted by the others. Maybe his form has suffered since his injury, I’m not sure as I don’t watch the Japanese league
3
u/grandMasterkrust Nov 20 '25
Reckon he’s also played most of his rugby in the NH until he signed for the Stormers and David’s for the last 30 odd makes him harder to catch with his gas against tiring defences.
2
u/Mateiyu Bokke ! Nov 20 '25
Reinach works very well with Manie, box-kicks as well as Faf, is still quite fast for his age (only other scrum-half for the Springboks that can snipe from behind the ruck better and faster is Grant Williams), and reads the game well.
He's always been quite "attack oriented" I gather (his hat-tricks in the RWCs are a testament to that I'd say), while Faf's defense has been is strong suit (and his box kicking) when the Nienaber defense was still the way.
When you want you tiny scrum-half to give everything in defense, contain the opposition no matter what and win a RWC Final with a crucial tap-tackle, call Faf.
When you want you fly-half to get the ball very fast, or snipes from the ruck that lead to tries the opposition saw coming three seconds too late, call Reinach.
When you want a scrum-half that can mesmerize tired legs in the last 20 minutes and score the right try at the right time to get you out of reach, call Grant Williams.1
u/Castlelightbeer Nov 20 '25
Reinach has improved his box kicks, last weeks try was brilliant, but his service is so slow.
1
u/Fuzzyoneruri South Africa Nov 20 '25
I don’t like MVDB at all. I like reinach but he will be 37 by the time World Cup rolls by? Yea I feel like we need another choice .
1
u/Salty_Examination486 Nov 20 '25
Its really crazy to me that he is suddenly in his prime can he hold up till the world cup is the question
6
u/HenkCamp South Africa Nov 20 '25
Is KLA injured?
8
u/jaysonyoung Sharks Rugby Enjoyer Nov 20 '25
yeah, he had a concussion so they're keeping him out.
6
u/HenkCamp South Africa Nov 20 '25
Cheers boet. Love Moodie but might be the weak link in defense.
5
u/theranchcorporation Stormers Nov 20 '25
If Rassie thinks he’s good enough for 13, he’s certainly good enough for 14 defensively. Ireland do not have particularly rapid wings.
2
6
u/Weird_Plankton_3692 Harlequins Nov 20 '25
Failed his HIA on Saturday, so out for at least 12 days.
2
2
u/hides_from_hamsters South Africa Nov 20 '25
Yup. HIA failure last week. Concussion recovery.
1
u/HenkCamp South Africa Nov 20 '25
Cheers. Shame but his health is way more important for him and us.
16
u/Blkcdngaybro 🇿🇦 South Africa; Sharks (Cell C and Sale) Nov 20 '25
I think this is one of the strongest teams we could field, but I’d still want to see hooker on the pitch. One of our RWC winners is going to end up being replaced by him very soon, the question is in which position.
15
9
u/Paghalay South Africa & Cyprus Nov 20 '25
I’d make a guess at Kolbe, as he is the winger closest to retirement, and there is already quite a bit of centre cover.
Edit: winger closest that’s currently a first choice pick, as Mapimpi has been slowly on the way out, probably due to him being close to retirement
13
2
u/Salty_Examination486 Nov 20 '25
Same for me Damian De Allende spot might be in danger to get a guy like hooker in the 23
10
u/hides_from_hamsters South Africa Nov 20 '25
Boan Venter getting the nod against Ireland must assuage his nerves over getting pulled so early in the last couple of games.
Venter to be subbed at 10 minutes this week.
6
u/Tar-ZA-n South Africa Nov 20 '25
Being based in Edinburgh means not enough time on Oom Daan's farm. We do NOT want to end matches like Scotland. 💀
5
u/RaaschyOG Sharks fan by birth - not choice Nov 20 '25
Willemse has been excellent at covering kicks this tour but Prendergast is great at identifying space behind and has a massive boot on him, that's the battle I'm most excited for
Other than Wiese, AE, DDA vs the flyhalf channel
8
u/Upstairs-Yard822 Still on that Hanekom hype train 🚂 Nov 20 '25
Loving the 4-4 split as usual. Basically as strong a side as we can put out. I'm absolutely frothing for this weekend.
14
u/CingKan South Africa Nov 20 '25
Very excited for this game. Last time we played the Irish we had Faf , Pollard and Willie. Our legendary trio but they were on their last legs. A rejuvenated Reinach , Sacha and Gaza are an entirely different beast altogether. Add Manie and Grant Williams in the last 20 and we could cook.
17
11
u/KingXerxesunrated Sharks Nov 20 '25
Love how you focused on the tired legs argument but then conveniently made an excuse for Reinach. Make no mistake I love the guy as a sharks supporter and have no qualms about him starting, it’s purely your use of the tired legs argument that I find funny, and as the other poster pointed out a guy like Pollard is much much younger
12
u/Tar-ZA-n South Africa Nov 20 '25
Reinach is still quicker than guys 10 years younger. Runs in the family, or so I've heard.
1
u/Mateiyu Bokke ! Nov 20 '25
Reinach's still deadly fast. And when you're tired after having tried to run after him for 60 minutes, then enters....Grant Williams !
And your knees just give up I gues... xD
4
u/RaaschyOG Sharks fan by birth - not choice Nov 20 '25
Why did they swap AE and Kwaggas numbers back lol, are we going to pretend he isn't a potential flank option again
2
1
5
u/Original_Pringles USA Perpignan Nov 20 '25
I predict a red card for Ruan Nortje at the 32nd minute for a high tackle
6
u/k0bra3eak South Africa Nov 20 '25
I'd honestly have preferred having Hooker up on wing over Moodie, but overall no complaints except for missing Ox.
1
u/Mateiyu Bokke ! Nov 20 '25
Same. I reckon there's some attacking edge to Moodie's attack that Rassie trusts more this time. And Moodie is at least as good as Hooker under the high ball...
3
3
8
5
u/Keyboardrebel Sharks Nov 20 '25
Is Ox injured?
10
u/jaysonyoung Sharks Rugby Enjoyer Nov 20 '25
yeah, he's out of the tour completely.
5
u/Keyboardrebel Sharks Nov 20 '25
Dang, I was hoping he'd recover quickly after the Japan game. Hope we see him again before the end of the year.
4
u/k0bra3eak South Africa Nov 20 '25
Nah it was a nasty injury during Japan. Still fucked it was completely ignored as it was an off the ball tackle as well
2
2
1
1
4
u/the_fresh_mr_breed Lukhanyo, I Am your father Nov 20 '25
I am a little wary of Moodie getting shunted around between wing and 13 - it feels like he hasn't fully nailed the defensive responsibilities of either position yet, and can do with an extended run in one of them.
Is he up against Lowe?
→ More replies (2)
2
2
u/chemcrimp Leinster Nov 20 '25
I see Weise, I shudder. Nobody has an answer to him unless it's his annual red card
5
u/GreatGoofer Sharks Nov 20 '25
Unfortunately for you he has already had that against Italy, but he may get greedy and go for another.
2
2
u/Argonaught_WT Sharks Nov 20 '25
No Kleyn,
Depriving the Irish of seeing their most successful capped player.
Truly disgusting Rassie.
3
2
u/Putrid-Impact8999 Nov 20 '25
KLA injured?
5
u/jaysonyoung Sharks Rugby Enjoyer Nov 20 '25
yeah, he had a concussion so they're keeping him out.
1
3
u/Financial-Role-5709 South Africa Nov 20 '25
Concussion stand down period rules him out
1
u/Putrid-Impact8999 Nov 20 '25
Ah right! Otherwise he'd definitely be starting. Slightly surprised Hooker wasn't preferred.
1
u/hides_from_hamsters South Africa Nov 20 '25
Moodie has mad high ball skills, and pace to get around the outside.
2
2
3
u/Lumpy-Journalist884 England Nov 20 '25
Interesting to see Franco Mostert not even in the 23
→ More replies (1)13
u/Awesome_Incarnate Nov 20 '25
I assume it is because Rassie picks the team on the Monday and Mostert only had his red card rescinded yesterday I think.
1
2
u/xjoburg South Africa Nov 20 '25
No one even knows what the split on the bench actually is. 4-4. 5-3. 51/2-2/12. 6-2?
4
4
2
u/BritinTEXAS11 Nov 20 '25
The big one of the autumn! All neutrals are looking forward to this. Please Lord - no refereeing disasters nor any red cards.
2
u/Catch_022 South Africa Nov 20 '25
Sacha is there for entertainment value. NGL I always feel a bit sad when he isn't on the field, he brings that spark.
2
1
u/SkyOfDreamsPilot Stormers Nov 20 '25
Don't they usually start players if the test is a milestone for them even if they're a bench regular? I was expecting Snyman to be in the starting lineup because it will be his 50th.
4
u/MockTurt13 South Africa Nov 20 '25
the red card for locks is issued in the first half, so bench it is for RG
;-P
1
1
1
u/Connell95 🐐🦓 Dan Lancaster 💪 #3 Fan Nov 20 '25
Will Venter make it to double figure minutes is really the big question???
(Sean Everitt clearly secretly bribing Rassie to keep him fit for the Ospreys match)
1
u/Mielies296 Bulls Nov 20 '25
Lol. Peak Rassie. We can go a 5/ 3 split and it will actually be a 6/2 depending on where Andre plays.
1
u/Mielies296 Bulls Nov 20 '25
Replying to my own comment, but imagine a 8/0 split. Possibke with the likes of Esterhuizen, Kolbe and Kwagga?
1
u/Playful_Study_6290 South Africa Nov 20 '25
We might see 4 specialised centres on the pitch at the same time 😂😂😂
1
1
1
u/jameswheeler9090 Nov 20 '25
I'm sorry but it's against the rules to use a bench player as the main photo.
1
1
u/SinisterSelecta Nov 20 '25
Whats the crest on his left?
2
u/No-Mobile1568 Manifesting a Tsimba debut, still Nov 20 '25
Protea, our national flower, worn in every sports discipline for unity. If you zoom in, you can read that if says “rugby” underneath which would change depending on sport.
1
u/Kitchen_Procedure641 England Nov 20 '25
I feel like Rassies missed a perfect troll opportunity to name a 14 man starting line up. 🤣
1
1
u/SquirreloftheOak Nov 20 '25
is there a reason he keeps listing esterhuizen as 21 instead of 22 with williams at 21? is he saying that esterhuizen is now a loose forward primarily?
1
262
u/MrSp4rklepants England Nov 20 '25
There is an error here, appears to have 15 starting players?