World champions South Africa put off naming the team to play Six Nations Grand Slam holders Ireland this Saturday in Dublin because of an injury crisis which forced them to cancel training.
The Springboks - who grabbed their first win of the northern hemisphere tour on Saturday against Italy - had intended to name their team on Tuesday but have delayed it till Thursday.
The 'Boks - who have lost to France, and English Premiership sides Leicester and Saracens - have eight players injured including six that played in the defeat to France.
Fullback Zane Kirchner (knee), centre Adi Jacobs (ankle), scrum-half Fourie du Preez (hand), lock Bakkies Botha (back), hooker Bismarck du Plessis (ribs) and backrow forward Schalk Burger (ribs) are the six injured players to have started the 20-13 reverse against France in Toulouse on November 13.
Aside from them replacement hooker Adriaan Strauss has a back injury and prop CJ van der Linde is suffering from a groin injury.
Sexton a shock inclusion for Ireland Tuesday, 24 November 2009 13:24 Jonathan Sexton will start Ireland's clash with South Africa at Croke Park on Saturday after being preferred ahead of Ronan O'Gara at fly-half.
In a surprise move by coach Declan Kidney, Sexton has seized the number 10 jersey from O'Gara as reward for his outstanding display in Saturday's 41-6 victory over Fiji.
The last time O'Gara, who is included on the bench, was dropped was in 2003 and the Lions veteran has had a stranglehold on the position ever since.
But the composure shown by Sexton in dismantling Fiji on his Test debut has convinced Kidney he is ready to face the world and Tri-Nations champions.
It is a bold selection that rewards the 24-year-old's sparkling form since being thrust onto centre stage during the latter rounds of Leinster's march to their first Heineken Cup crown last season.
Otherwise, Kidney has kept faith with the XV that drew 20-20 with Australia in Ireland's autumn opener with Keith Earls replacing knee injury victim Luke Fitzgerald on the left wing.
Ulster's Paddy Wallace is restored at inside centre where he is preferred ahead of Gordon D'Arcy, who features among the substitutes.
Cian Healy of Leinster resumes loosehead duties after missing out against Fiji because of a shoulder injury.
Munster prop Tony Buckley supplies front row cover from a bench which sees scrum-half Peter Stringer get the nod ahead of Eoin Reddan.
Back row Denis Leamy also feature among the replacements despite suffering an ankle injury against the Fijians.
Ireland team to play South Africa on Saturday at Croke Park, kick-off 2.30pm:
R Kearney (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), B O'Driscoll (capt) (Leinster), P Wallace (Ulster), K Earls (Munster); J Sexton (Leinster), T O'Leary (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), J Flannery (Munster), J Hayes (Munster); D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), D Wallace (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: S Cronin (Connacht), T Buckley (Munster), L Cullen (Leinster), D Leamy (Munster), P Stringer (Munster), R O'Gara (Munster), G D'Arcy (Leinster).
Sexton a shock inclusion for IrelandTuesday, 24 November 2009 13:24 Jonathan Sexton will start Ireland's clash with South Africa at Croke Park on Saturday after being preferred ahead of Ronan O'Gara at fly-half.In a surprise move by coach Declan Kidn
Right choice imo, didnt think he'd drop ROG but Sexton deserves it on form but will be a big test for him on Saturday, will be interesting to see how he handles it!
Right choice imo, didnt think he'd drop ROG but Sexton deserves it on form but will be a big test for him on Saturday, will be interesting to see how he handles it!
Sexton pick improves Ireland chances . Ronan has been pretty poor recently , adding nothing to the game apart from a few kicks ( which he was always good at ) . Boks will find Sexton a lot stronger and more inclined to run at them . Interesting .
But I do worry about BOD's partner . Too light , no backup to BOD .
Sexton pick improves Ireland chances . Ronan has been pretty poor recently , adding nothing to the game apart from a few kicks ( which he was always good at ) . Boks will find Sexton a lot stronger and more inclined to run at them . Interesting .Bu
The only fear is that the Saffers have repeaked for this game. They were good in the 2nd half against Italy. Initially I was looking forward to getting stuck into Ireland and 6/5 is fair but South Africa could be a different proposition
The only fear is that the Saffers have repeaked for this game. They were good in the 2nd half against Italy. Initially I was looking forward to getting stuck into Ireland and 6/5 is fair but South Africa could be a different proposition
I never thought Kidney would replace ROG with Sexton. It is the right call no matter the result on Saturday. At this stage we know what ROG can or more pointedly can't do. We need to find out if Sexton is up to the required standard. I suspect that he is,but last Saturday in the RDS doesn't prove it. I think regardless of the score, Sexton should get the full 80min & should only be withdrawn if he is injured.
I never thought Kidney would replace ROG with Sexton.It is the right call no matter the result on Saturday.At this stage we know what ROG can or more pointedly can't do.We need to find out if Sexton is up to the required standard.I suspect that he is
I'd much rather a 10 who can kick and pass extremely well then one who insists on tackling every forward and was washed up at 25 like Wilkinson.
Beat the Boks single handed in 2004 and 2006I'd much rather a 10 who can kick and pass extremely well then one who insists on tackling every forward and was washed up at 25 like Wilkinson.
You really are an ingnoramus when it comes to rugby CD.
Do you know how many players are on the pitch?
Surely its better that everyone thinks you are a fool then to continually prove it?
You really are an ingnoramus when it comes to rugby CD.Do you know how many players are on the pitch?Surely its better that everyone thinks you are a fool then to continually prove it?
i said it for ages but fair fecking play to kidney
to drop ROG and replace him with sexton is a great call ROG has had a poor season to date yet did ok against australia
Sexton was motm last week and deserves to get his game time with world cups and 6 nations to be won
Eddie would never off made that call- lets not forget our limp world cup was most at fault because we had no alternative to a faultering ROG
i said it for ages but fair fecking play to kidneyto drop ROG and replace him with sexton is a great callROG has had a poor season to date yet did ok against australiaSexton was motm last week and deserves to get his game time with world cups and 6 n
Dublin - South Africa centre Jean de Villiers will join the world champions' squad in Dublin on Thursday, officials have announced.
De Villiers, who joined Irish province Munster in September, has been called into the squad to replace Adi Jacobs, who has been ruled out of Saturday's Test against Six Nations champions Ireland with an ankle injury.
Jacobs will return to South Africa on Thursday, when the world champions are also due to name their team to play Six Nations Grand Slam winners Ireland at Croke Park.
Dublin - South Africa centre Jean de Villiers will join the world champions' squad in Dublin on Thursday, officials have announced.De Villiers, who joined Irish province Munster in September, has been called into the squad to replace Adi Jacobs, who
No doubt about it all. Sexton is way ahead form wise at the moment and he needs the game time against a top 3 team.
Hopefully ROG can lift himself and start performing for Munster/Ireland again.
No doubt about it all. Sexton is way ahead form wise at the moment and he needs the game time against a top 3 team. Hopefully ROG can lift himself and start performing for Munster/Ireland again.
what is it with South Africans and the naming of their children... i know Bakkies is a nickname (ironically his name is John) but what is with Bismark?
what is it with South Africans and the naming of their children... i know Bakkies is a nickname (ironically his name is John) but what is with Bismark?