‘Beast’ back to give Bokke muscle

De Allende also returns to prop up SA against Ireland

Dublin – Experienced props Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira and Coenie Oosthuizen, as well as inside centre Damian de Allende, all return to the Springbok starting team to face Ireland tomorrow.

They are the three changes to the starting XV that impressed in the 25-24 defeat by the All Blacks last month.

Loosehead prop Stephen Kitshoff can count himself unlucky to lose his place in the starting XV after impressing against the All Blacks, but Zimbabwe-born Mtawarira is the team’s most experienced player with 95 Test caps.

“Modern day rugby is about using 23 players effectively, and having Kitshoff coming off the bench with 30 minutes to play has worked well for us this season,” said Springbok coach Allister Coetzee.

Oosthuizen has recovered from an arm fracture sustained against the Wallabies in Perth in September, and he takes over the tighthead position from Ruan Dreyer, who started in previous three outings.

De Allende comes in for Jan Serfontein who has moved to French side Montpellier and having been an ever present this year, playing in all nine Tests, asked not to be selected for the tour.

“Continuity is important and we have kept changes to a minimum,” said Coetzee yesterday.

“I am really excited to see Damian getting an opportunity on Saturday. He has worked very hard and looked good in training.”