‘Bundle of energy’ De Klerk ready to trick Ireland

Springboks head coach Allister Coetzee has backed “bundle of energy” Faf de Klerk not to change his game as South Africa’s debutant at scrum-half against Ireland tomorrow.

Naming a side containing nine of the team which ran New Zealand close in last November’s World Cup semi-final, new boss Coetzee has also brought in six to the matchday 23 who played no part in predecessor Heyneke Meyer’s squad for that tournament, including five from Super Rugby’s high-flying Lions. As well as de Klerk, centre Lionel Mapoe will earn his first start for the Boks with their franchise team-mates Elton Jantjies, Warren Whiteley and Julian Redelinghuys on the bench.

“I am rewarding form and Lionel is one player who has been outstanding in Super Rugby. But this is not a 15-man team; it’s a 23-man squad,” Coetzee said yesterday. “Lionel is grateful for the chance to start and he has been showing consistently good form and played well for the Lions.