It’s a return to home comforts for South Africa this weekend, as they face Ireland in a battle between the top two-ranked World Rugby nations in Pretoria.
And it’s a quickfire reunion to boot, with the pair having met in the pool phase of the 2023 Rugby World Cup less than a year ago.
They’re not the only show in town either, as New Zealand meet England, Argentina host France and Australia face Wales among the day’s other rugby fixtures around the planet.
International Rugby: South Africa vs Ireland – kick off 17.00 SAST
The reigning Rugby World Cup champions return to home soil on Saturday, as South Africa and Ireland go head-to-head in Pretoria.
It’s a Loftus Versfeld showdown for the nations ranked first and second in the world.
And it’s an opportunity for a sort of revenge for the Springboks, who slipped to defeat to the Irish in the pool phase in France less than a year ago.
Rassie Erasmus is back in sole charge of the Boks, following the exit of Jacques Nienaber to coach Irish domestic kings Leinster.
He has an experienced crop of players at his disposal, too, having returned from England with a resounding Twickenham tune-up win over Wales at Twickenham a fortnight ago.
Indeed 15 of this weekend’s squad took part in the World Cup final in Paris, as the Boks secured consecutive global titles.
Handre Pollard is back on home turf at Loftus, taking charge in the half-backs in tandem with scrum-half Faf de Klerk, with youngster Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu waiting for his first home appearance among the replacements.
Siya Kolisi continues as captain from the flank in a familiar line up, which also boasts the might of Eben Etzebeth and Bongi Mbonambi among the forward pack.
And there’s plenty for the thrill-seekers among the Gauteng crowd, with Cheslin Kolbe yet another of South Africa’s French contingent starting on the wing.
Veteran Peter O’Mahoney leads the Irish into yet another new World Cup cycle, as they renew their efforts to seal a global crown to go with their high-ranking status.
He has a wealth of experience around him too, with the likes of Tadhg Furling and Tadhg Beirne beefing up the pack.
Throw in the midfield pairing of Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Ake and there’s no lack of miles on the clock for the tourists.
But it’s not all familiar for coach Andy Farrell.
He hands a debut to full-back Jamie Osborne, who faces a baptism of fire at altitude in the Loftus cauldron.
South Africa Starting XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Ireland Starting XV: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony (captain), 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Ryan Baird, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Garry Ringrose.
| Team | % WIN | SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 69% | 26 |
| Ireland | 27% | 17 |