Springboks load bench with 7 forwards to take on top-ranked Ireland at Rugby World Cup
South Africa's Steven Kitshoff, right, is tackled by Romania's Adrian Motoc during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Christophe Ena]
PARIS (AP) — South Africa has reverted to its strongest starting lineup to face top-ranked Ireland in a crunch pool game at the Rugby World Cup in Paris on Saturday. The Springboks also named seven forwards and just one back on the bench in a clear indication of how they aim to take on the best team in the world. The Springboks have gone with a 7-1 bench split just once before, in a warmup game against New Zealand. It effectively gives South Africa a new forward pack to bring on in the second half against Ireland at the Stade de France.
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