South Africa vs Ireland – the fans are out in force
From our reporter Luke Baker in Paris:
I was here at the Stade de France for the opening match of this World Cup between France and the All Blacks and it was an atmosphere unlike anything I’d ever experienced. If early signs are anything to go by, it could be similar this evening. Paris was overrun by green jerseys – Irish and South African – from mid-afternoon and the metro to the stadium was packed about four hours before kick-off, with singing, chanting and roof-thumping in every carriage. Even the locals appear to have picked a side, with plenty of those jerseys being worn by French rugby fans.
Georgia and Portugal share spoils at Rugby World Cup as both miss last-gasp chances to win
A reminder of the result earlier today: Nuno Sousa Guedes missed a last-minute penalty as Portugal agonisingly failed to secure a first-ever Rugby World Cup victory on Saturday as Georgia scored a 78th-minute try – then missed the conversion – to force a thrilling 18-18 Pool C draw.
Georgia and Portugal share spoils as both miss last-gasp chances to win
Georgia 18-18 Portugal: Raffaele Storti grabbed a brace of tries before Nuno Sousa Guedes missed a late penalty to win it
South Africa vs Ireland – team news
South Africa went to a rotated side against Romania but return to full strength for this clash, with Rassie Erasmus making just one change from the side that beat Scotland in the Springboks opening game of the tournament. That change comes in the front row with Bongi Mbonambi replacing the injured Malcolm Marx.
There’s also encouraging news in the second row as Eben Etzebeth recovers from a shoulder injury he picked up against Scotland to return to the starting lineup.
Ireland, meanwhile, make just one change from the side that beat Tonga last weekend as Jamison Gibson-Park comes in at scrum-half in place of Conor Murray. Elsewhere, Dan Sheehan returns from injury and is back on the bench.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, right, preparing to face South Africa in Paris
South Africa vs Ireland – line-ups
South Africa XV: Steven Kitshoff, Mbongeni Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe; Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert; Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese; Faf de Klerk, Manie Libbok; Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Damian Willemse.
Replacements: Dean Fourie, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach.
Ireland XV: Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Peter O’Mahony, Josh Van der Flier; Caelan Doris, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jonny Sexton; James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan.
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Ryan Baird, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Robbie Henshaw.
South Africa vs Ireland LIVE – Rugby World Cup
It really doesn’t get much better than this, does it? South Africa and Ireland prepare to lock horns tonight in perhaps the biggest game of this year’s Rugby World Cup pool stage.
Two of the favourites to win the tournament, both are unbeaten so far and will be eyeing up a massive win to put themselves in pole position to finish top of the group.
South Africa secured a hard-earnt victory over Scotland before breezing past Romania, while Ireland have scored comfortable victories over Romania and Tongo in their first two games.
Rugby World Cup 2023 results in full
The 2023 Rugby World Cup could be defined by who escapes from Pools A and B with the world’s heavyweight nations in action, including South Africa and Ireland aiming to qualify in top spot.
Keep track of all the latest results from France below:
Every Rugby World Cup 2023 match result so far
The 2023 Rugby World Cup is under way in France
South Africa vs Ireland
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of South Africa vs Ireland.
It’s a highly anticipated match in Pool B as the world number one side take on the defending World Cup champions in what is set to be a fierce battle.
Follow all the live coverage here.
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