CJ Van der Linde will start at loosehead prop against Ireland at the Aviva this evening following the late withdrawal of Tendai Mtawarira. 

Leinster"s Heinke Van der Merwe, who has played in one Test for the Springboks in 2007, will take Van der Linde’s place on the bench.

 

Precaution

The decision to withdraw Mtawarira is a precautionary measure after he had a recurrence of mild heart palpitations this morning.

Mtawarira has been admitted to hospital for observation. 

A decision on his continued participation on the tour will be taken at a later stage and an update on his condition will be issued in due course.

 

Updated Springbok team to face Ireland in Dublin is:

 

15. Zane Kirchner (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 21caps

14. JP Pietersen (The Sharks) 45 caps

13. Jaco Taute (MTN Golden Lions) 2 caps

12.Jean de Villiers (captain) DHL Western Province 81 caps

11. Francois Hougaard (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 24 caps

10. Pat Lambie (The Sharks) 17 caps

9. Ruan Pienaar (Ulster, N-Ireland) 60 caps

8. Duane Vermeulen (DHL Western Province) 4 caps

7. Willem Alberts (The Sharks) 17 caps

6. Francois Louw (Bath, England) 14 caps

5. Juandré Kruger (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 5 caps

4. Eben Etzebeth (DHL Western Province) 8 caps

3. Jannie du Plessis (The Sharks) 39 caps

2. Adriaan Strauss (vice-captain, Toyota FS Cheetahs) 18 caps

1. CJ van der Linde (MTN Golden Lions) 73 caps

 

Replacements

 

16. Schalk Brits (Saracens, England) 3 caps

17. Heinke van der Merwe (Leinster, Ireland) 1 cap

18. Pat Cilliers (DHL Western Province) 4 caps

19. Flip van der Merwe (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 20 caps

20. Marcell Coetzee (The Sharks) 9 caps

21. Morné Steyn (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 41 caps

22. Juan de Jongh (DHL Western Province) 12 caps

23. Lwazi Mvovo (The Sharks) 7 caps

 

 

Image by ©INPHO/Billy Stickland