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No place for Franco Mostert distraction in South Africa team

Franco Mostert was free to face Ireland after a disciplinary committee overturned his controversial red card picked up against Italy last weekend
Franco Mostert was free to face Ireland after a disciplinary committee overturned his controversial red card picked up against Italy last weekend

Franco Mostert has been left out of South Africa's matchday squad for Saturday’s showdown with Ireland.

The 34-year-old lock was free to feature in Dublin after his red card for a high hit in last weekend’s 32-14 win away to Italy was rescinded.

However, he was not considered for selection to prevent his disciplinary hearing impacting the team’s preparations.

With one eye on the visit to Ireland, South Africa rested many of their star names in Turin.

Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus has made two personnel changes to the starting XV which defeated France a fortnight ago.

Canan Moodie, who started at outside centre against the Azzurri, will begin on the right wing at the Aviva Stadium, with Cheslin Kolbe shifting to the left as Kurt-Lee Arendse has returned home after suffering concussion.

Lock Ruan Nortje is the other player to come into the team which began the 32-17 victory over Les Bleus, replacing the suspended Lood de Jager following his dismissal in Paris.

With Nortje promoted to the starting line-up, Kwagga Smith has been added to the replacements.

Leinster lock RG Snyman is set to win his 50th cap from the bench.

South Africa suffered a pool-stage defeat to Ireland en route to retaining the World Cup in 2023.

The Springboks, who were held to a 1-1 series draw on home soil the following year, have lost four of the past five meetings between the nations.

South Africa team: Damian Willemse; Canan Moodie, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach; Boan Venter, Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje, Siya Kolisi (capt), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese.

Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Andre Esterhuizen, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok.

Watch Ireland v South Africa in the Quilter Nations Series on Saturday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.

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