On Saturday, South Africa will attempt to win their second consecutive Rugby World Cup. Springboks rugby has left its mark across the rugby world. There are very few teams, players or nations who have not been affected or influenced by South Africa. As Nelson Mandela once stated, "Know your enemy- and learn about his favourite sport."
Many nations have quality South African-born players involved in their squad in this year's Rugby World Cup. At the start of the tournament, Scotland fans were quoted in the build up to their pool game against South Africa as saying, "Our South Africans are better than your South Africans."
“Scotland will win because our South Africans are better.” pic.twitter.com/4JRCwXvEXz
— Harry Jones (@haribaldijones) September 10, 2023
However, within this current South African set up there are many strong Irish influences and connections. From an Ireland fullback in the coaching ranks to a former Ireland international who'll certainly play in the Rugby World Cup final, there are so many links between Ireland and the Springboks. Here are some of the connections.
READ ALSO - Tom Curry Racism Allegation: World Rugby Will Not Proceed With Charges
READ ALSO: Jean Kleyn Was Surprised By Irish Media Reaction To His South Africa Switch
Jean Kleyn - Munster lock (2016-present), Ireland lock (5 caps in 2019)
When Kleyn was named in the Springboks squad for the Rugby World Cup, it became clear that Kleyn would become the first man capped for Ireland to play in a World Cup final.
Kleyn's affiliation with Irish rugby came about after he moved to Munster prior to the 2016/17 season. After impressive performances for the province, displaying his ballast and power in the tight five, Klein was called up to the Ireland squad for their World Cup warm-up games ahead of the 2019 competition. His residency had been completed in August of that year and was surprise inclusion in Joe Schmidt's 33 man squad, ahead of Devin Toner.
What followed was a disastrous campaign in which Ireland lost to the hosts Japan for the first time and were demolished by the All Blacks in the quarter final. Kleyn did not represent Ireland again, despite his superb form for Munster in which he and RG Snyman played a vital role in Munster's URC triumph this year. Kleyn was able to requalify for the Boks in 2023 and was selected ahead of their Rugby Championship campaign. Kleyn has since made 6 appearances for the country of his birth since.
3 March 2023; Jean Kleyn of Munster prior to the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Scarlets at Musgrave Park in Cork. Photo by Tom Beary/Sportsfile
Felix Jones - former Ireland fullback, current Springboks attack coach
Injuries derailed the enormous promise Jones showed as a player for Ireland and Munster, leading to his retirement in 2015. Since taking a role within the Munster coaching set up in 2016, Jones have proved himself to a great thinker on the game. His immense rugby intellect and strong connection with the players was something that caught the eye of Rassie Erasmus during his time at Munster.
19 October 2015; Munster's Andrew Conway, left, and Felix Jones sit out squad training. Munster Rugby Squad Training and Press Conference, University of Limerick, Limerick. Picture credit: Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE
When Erasmus brought Jones on board as a coaching consultant with the Boks, he proved to have an immediate impact with many of Jones' schemes and set plays implemented as they went on to win the big prize in 2019. Clearly a beloved figure in the Springbok camp over the last 5 years, he is set to move on to a major role within the English coaching set up after this World Cup. Ireland fans will be seeing much more of Jones in the coming years.
RG Snyman - Munster lock (2020-present)
RG Snyman has shaken off a long list of injuries and has had a huge World Cup for the Springboks. One of the leaders of the 'Bomb Squad', Snyman's try in the second half against was pivotals as the Boks found a way to be England.
Snyman - along with fellow Springbok Damien De Allende - signed for Munster in 2020. Snyman's Munster career stalled initially with back to back knee injuries meaning he only made 4 appearances for the province in his first two seasons. It was in this past season that he truly showed his value with monstrous performances in the second half of the year, including a vital second half performance in the URC final as Munster defeated the Stormers 19-14 in Cape Town.
Snyman and Kleyn are two of the seven forwards in South Africa's Bomb Squad for Saturday's game.
Damian De Allende (former Munster centre - 2020-2022 )
De Allende will start again in the centre on Saturday night. As mentioned De Allende joined Munster with RG Snyman. He was a top performer for Munster in the centre before leaving to join the Japanese side Saitama Wild Knights, who are the same team that he played with before joining Munster. De Allende has been in scintillating form in this tournament, and has shown an element to his game that Munster fans never really saw under Johann van Grann.
Rassie Erasmus - former Munster director of Rugby
21 October 2017; Munster Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, left, with defence coach Jacques Nienaber, ahead of the European Rugby Champions Cup Pool 4 Round 2 match between Munster and Racing 92 at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile
Before he inspired South Africa's 2019 World Cup win, Erasmus had a famous spell as Munster's Director of Rugby. He says he still has regrets about leaving Ireland. In 2016, Erasmus was forced to take over the head coach position at Munster in tragic circumstances with the sudden passing of the late, great Anthony Foley. In incredibly trying circumstances for both the team and the newly appointed coaching staff Erasmus led Munster to a European semi final, League final and won Guinness Pro12 coach of the year in his first year with the province. Erasmus holds a special place in Munster's history but his sudden departure in early 2018 has always left Munster fans wondering what more could have been achieved. His decision to return as coach of the Rainbow Nation can only be viewed as a triumph. With 39 test match victories, coming back from 1-0 down to win a Lions' series and the ultimate prize of winning the 2019 World Cup.
Jacques Nienaber - former Munster defense coach
Nienaber was part of the initial staff that came over with Erasmus to Munster in 2016. As with Erasmus and Jones, Nienaber's Munster stint was cut short when Erasmus brought him on board his coaching ticket for the Boks. Nienaber was elevated to head coach in 2020, it wasn't until 2021 that Nienaber got his first test in the role defeating Georgia. That summer, his first test series in charge against the British and Irish Lions resulted in a come from behind 2-1 victory. Nienaber will be returning to coach in Ireland with Leinster. After the World Cup he will be seeking to patch the elusive fifth star on to that infamous blue jersey.
Stephen Kitshoff (Ulster prop, 2023)
After captaining the Stormers to consecutive finals in the URC, including a victory in the inaugural edition of the tournament, Kitshoff is set to follow in the footsteps of his Springbok team mate Vermeulean by joining Ulster after the completion of the Rugby World Cup. A phenomenal signing for the northern province, with Kitshoff widely considered one of the best props in world rugby. Kitschoff will wear the number one jersey on Saturday, however, some do wonder if he is even the best loosehead in his own team. Oc Nche has been one of the revelations of this World Cup.
.
