Rugby
Vermaak replaces Pienaar in Bok squad─── 08:46 Wed, 05 Nov 2014
Scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar has been ruled out of the Springboks end-of-year-tour due to a knee ligament injury and he will be replaced by Jano Vermaak ahead of Saturday’s test against Ireland.
Pienaar sustained the injury in the Springboks’ Test against New Zealand in Wellington in September and has been out of action since then.
Vermaak who is based overseas will be linking up with the men in green and gold in Dublin later today.
Meanwhile, Bok vice-captain, Victor Matfield says decision making will be key for the South African when the take on the Irish who are good at sacking lineout drives.
Matfield added that they will keep a keen eye on Irish lock, Paul O' Connell.
"I've said this before, I think he is a fantastic player, I think he's probably the best player I've played against in my career," said the veteran Springbok lock.
Matfield said O'Connell is a student of the lineout and that he puts in a lot of hours of analysing, preparing and getting his whole unit ready for the weekend.
Matfield also believes that former Springbok flank and former Ireland forwards coach Gert Smal gave O'Connell "a lot of insight into how I think about the lineout" which makes it more difficult for him to face the Irishman.
The match-23 for the weekends' match is expected to be named later today.
Saturday evenings’ Test at Landsdowne Road kicks off at 19:30.
Morgan Piek / OFM News
