SA A’s clash against Irish provincial powerhouses Munster at a sold-out Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork on Thursday is shaping up to be a fifth Test for the Springboks on their European tour.
In years gone past when midweek matches against regional teams were a regular feature for touring teams, overseas sides in SA always referred to their game against the Bulls at Loftus as the fifth Test.
Munster would love nothing better than to put one over a strong SA A side and a fascinating battle for supremacy is on the cards in front of 45,000 fans.
An incentive for the SA A players is that a standout showing will set them firmly in the frame for Bok berths at the 2023 World Cup in France.
Apart from the Tests against Ireland, France, Italy and England, an SA A side must negotiate games against club sides Munster and Bristol Bears.
SA A coach Mzwandile Stick has included 14 capped Springbok players in his match-day squad,
He took prop Thomas du Toit and lock Jason Jenkins, from the Springbok squad that trained in Dublin last week for their opening Test against Ireland in Dublin
The Du Preez twins — Dan (loose forward) and Jean-Luc (utility forward) — were called up to the squad on Sunday.
SA Rugby’s director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, who was originally expected to join Stick and his coaching team in Cork, joined the Springbok team in France, though he will continue to assist the SA A coaches remotely.
Aphelele Fassi (fullback), Cornal Hendriks (centre), Johan Goosen (flyhalf) and Herschel Jantjies (scrumhalf) are the capped Boks in the backline.
Du Toit will captain the team, with Hendricks serving as his deputy.
There are a further three Springboks on the replacements bench in Dan du Preez, Sikhumbuzo Notshe (loose forward) and Grant Williams (scrumhalf).
“We are pleased with the quality of the squad we selected, and we are confident this thrilling blend of experienced and young players have what it takes to perform against Munster,” said Stick.
“One of the main reasons for selecting SA A and Springbok teams for the year-end tour was to cast our net as wide as possible to test our player depth less than a year out from the World Cup, while also giving as many players as possible top-class game time.
“Most of these players have either been in the Springbok squad in the past two seasons, or they have been on our radar, so this is an ideal opportunity to see them in action in what will be a physical and challenging encounter.
“The SA A coaches had the luxury of spending the week with the Springboks last week, when they attended all the coaches’ meetings and training sessions to give them a taste of Test rugby.
“Munster are one of the top club teams and they balance their physicality with exciting backline play, so we are going to be tested thoroughly.
“That said, we have named an equally exciting team and we have a number of leaders in core positions.
“Every one of our players will also want to make the most of this opportunity to throw their names in the hat for World Cup selection, which will serve as an extra motivational factor to showcase their talent.”
SA A team:
Aphelele Fassi, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Henco van Wyk, Cornal Hendricks, Leolin Zas, Johan Goosen, Herschel Jantjies, Jean-Luc du Preez, Elrigh Louw, Phepsi Buthelezi, Ruan Nortjé, Jason Jenkins, Thomas du Toit, Joseph Dweba, Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: Andre-Hugo Venter, Simphiwe Matanzima, Sazi Sandi, Dan du Preez, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Grant Williams, Sanele Nohamba, Gianni Lombard
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