Moodie and Nortje come in for Boks as Erasmus opts for stability

Rassie Erasmus has named 13 of the 15 starters from South Africa’s standout defeat of the French

South Africa's Canan Moodie scores a try. Pic: AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025 - 13:00

Brendan O'Brien

Rassie Erasmus has named 13 of the 15 starters from South Africa’s standout defeat of the French in Paris two weeks ago for their crunch game against Ireland on Saturday.

A trip to Italy last weekend allowed some fluidity in selection but France and Ireland were always going to be the two high points for the world champions on this latest northern tour and a fearsomely strong selection reflects that.

Canan Moodie is on one wing instead of Kurt-Lee Arendse while Ruan Nortje partners Eben Etzebeth in the second row instead of Lood de Jager this time. Leinster’s RG Snyman will make a 50th appearance off the bench.

SOUTH AFRICA: D Willemse; C Moodie, J Kriel, D de Allende, C Kolbe; S Feinberg-Mngomezulu, C Reinach; B Venter, M Marx, T du Toit; E Etzebeth, R Nortje; S Kolisi, PS du Toit, J Wiese.

Replacements: J Grobbelaar, G Steenekamp, W Louw, RG Snyman, K Smith, A Esterhuizen, G Williams, M Libbok.