What, where and when?
After losing the first Test 27-20 at Loftus Versfeld, Ireland move onto Durban to take on South Africa once again. Kick-off at Kings Park on Saturday, July 13th, is at 4pm.
Can I watch?
Just like last weekend, the game is behind a paywall on Sky Sports. A NowTV pass would also sort you out. As always, the game will be live blogged on The Irish Times sports website.
What happened last time?
What didn’t happen? In the opening quarter, South Africa’s newfound attack under renowned coach Tony Brown caused Ireland plenty of issues. Ireland struggled to adapt and then when they did have the ball, they found themselves running into typically strong brick walls in defence.
That said, Jamie Osborne’s try on debut kept them in it at the break. Thereafter, controversial TMO decisions denied James Lowe a try while a contentious Cheslin Kolbe score was allowed to stand. Ireland tried to hit back with scores from Conor Murray and Ryan Baird but the famed Springbok scrum ultimately had the last laugh, earning a late penalty try.
The Counter Ruck: the rugby newsletter from The Irish Times
England target revival against old foe South Africa after successive defeats
Ireland v Argentina: Robbie Henshaw takes over from Bundee Aki in only change to starting XV
Warren Gatland ‘didn’t think there would be so much pain’ in Wales reboot
Team news
Caelan Doris will captain Ireland during their second Test as Peter O’Mahony drops to the bench. It marks the second occasion the Leinster number eight has been named as the starting captain of his country after he was also given the job during this year’s Six Nations victory over Italy.
Tadhg Beirne, who was at lock during the 27-20 first Test defeat, shifts to blindside flanker to replace O’Mahony. James Ryan, who came off the bench, comes into the starting side at lock.
All told, Ryan is one of four new faces in the starting XV. Conor Murray replaces Craig Casey at scrumhalf, who suffered a concussion last weekend, Rónan Kelleher starts at hooker in place of the injured Dan Sheehan while Garry Ringrose lines out at 13.
Robbie Henshaw moves in one position from 13 to 12 as Bundee Aki, who was a previous injury concern with a shoulder issue, drops out of the matchday 23.
Rob Herring, Caolan Blade and Stuart McCloskey all come on to the bench.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named an unchanged team and replacements.
Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel will become the most-capped centre pairing in South African history when they combine in the midfield for the 30th time in Test matches.
SOUTH AFRICA: Willie le Roux; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe; Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert; Siya Kolisi (capt), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kwagga Smith.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Salmaan Moerat, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Grant Williams, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
IRELAND: Jamie Osborne; Calvin Nash, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird, Peter O’Mahony, Caolan Blade, Ciarán Frawley, Stuart McCloskey.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
