Two of the favourites for the match go head-to-head in Paris in what is ready to be a brutally bodily conflict, with this fixture one which has attracted pleasure ever because the World Cup draw was made.
Defending champions South Africa have been sometimes spectacular to date within the match, seeing off Scotland earlier than a much-changed facet was nonetheless adequate to hammer Romania. Only New Zealand have successfuly defended a World Cup crown - there's each likelihood South Africa add their title to that checklist come October 28.
Ireland can have different concepts although as they appear to for his or her first title on the largest stage, with Andy Farrell’s facet the number-one ranked facet on this planet and so spectacular over the past two years.
Whoever wins this match will nearly definitely high Pool B, although the reward for that's prone to be a quarter-final in opposition to the All Blacks.
South Africa vs Ireland takes place on Saturday September 23, 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST.
The recreation will happen on the Stade de France in Paris.
TV channel: In the UK, South Africa vs Ireland can be broadcast reside and free to air on ITV1, with protection beginning at 7.15pm.
Live stream: Fans may also catch the motion reside on-line by way of the ITVX web site and app.
Live weblog: You can comply with all of the motion by way of Standard Sport’s reside match weblog.
Having rotated for the win over Romania, South Africa return to nearly precisely the identical facet that beat Scotland of their match opener. The solely change from that match is the absence of the injured Malcolm Marx, that means Bongi Mbonambi traces up in opposition to Ireland.
There had been concern over Eben Etzebeth’s health, after he picked up a shoulder damage in opposition to Scotland, however he has recovered and begins, whereas Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit are amongst these additionally again within the facet.
Cobus Reinach, who scored a hat-trick inside 25 minutes in opposition to Romania, is the one again named within the South Africa replacements, as Jacques Nienaber opts for seven forwards on the bench.
Ireland named a powerful facet for the win over Tonga final day out, and may very well be additional strengthened by the return of Dan Sheehan once they affirm their workforce on Thursday.
Sheehan has not been concerned since struggling a foot damage within the warm-up win over England final month, whereas it is usually a foot problem that has saved Jack Conan on the sidelines over the previous month. Both have educated with the squad this week, however the match is prone to come too quickly for Conan.
Finlay Bealham is accessible after passing assessments on a head damage, whereas Jamison Gibson-Park is ready to return into the facet at scrum-half, changing Conor Murray who began in opposition to Tonga.
Ireland XV: TBC
South Africa XV: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende; Kolbe; Libbok, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe; Etzebeth, Mostert; Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Wiese.
Replacements: Fourie, Nche, Nyakane, Kleyn, Snyman, Van Staden, Smith, Reinach.
The referee for Saturday’s recreation is New Zealand’s Ben O’Keeffe.
The world champions in opposition to the very best facet on this planet, if the rankings are to be believed.
South Africa’s bench is a reasonably good indicator of what will be anticipated in Paris, with the Springboks naming seven forwards of their replacements for the primary time in a World Cup match.
Ireland is not going to match that break up and their forwards face a large take a look at in opposition to the ‘Bomb Squad’, with that battle, notably within the second-half as Irish legs tire, prone to play a decisive issue within the consequence. There could be very a lot no Plan B for South Africa.
Andy Farrell’s facet can take confidence from their win over the Springboks a yr in the past, although there's a sense that there's extra stress on them this time than their opponents. Defeat right here would go away Ireland going through a fortnight build-up right into a match in opposition to Scotland they must win to keep away from an early exit, whereas South Africa have already got a victory over the Scots within the bag.
It is a match that can probably be determined by the best of margins - we’re going for the Springboks to energy their technique to a gruelling win.
South Africa to win by three factors.
The two nations met most not too long ago on the finish of final yr, when Ireland gained 19-16 in Dublin to edge a bruising encounter. In 9 conferences since 2006, solely twice has the successful margin been greater than ten factors - anticipate one other tight match!
South Africa wins: 18
Ireland wins: 8
Draws: 1
South Africa to win: 5/6
Ireland to win: Evens
Draw: 20/1
Odds by way of Betfair (topic to vary).
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