Boks' brains trust love nothing more than confounding the establishment

September 23 has loomed large on South Africa's calendar for the better part of three years. Now it’s only days away.

INNOVATE: Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus are not afraid to innovate or buck the trend. Pic: ©INPHO/SteveHaagSports/Steve Haag

THE Springboks have made two statement wins to begin the defence of their Rugby World Cup title – 18-3 over Scotland and 76-0 against Romania. But the real test of their credentials is looming in the form of a slick Ireland at Stade de France on Saturday.

South Africa scored 12 tries against Romania in Bordeaux on Sunday and had two more chalked off for marginal calls. The Boks were rampant, even with a makeshift backline and experimentation with flanks as hookers.