The build-up to the potential group decider between South Africa and Ireland has been about the Irish fearing the Boks have tricks up their sleeve - a change from seeing them as juiced-up gym bunnies.
There's something fitting about the Springboks giving up their famed green and gold jersey for the potential Group B decider against Ireland on Saturday.
Looking at their preparation for the crunch meeting, the defending world champions are unrecognisable as the team which seemingly painted by the numbers en route to winning the Rugby World Cup four years ago. Selection has at times appeared to be informed by a throw of the dice in recent months, players offer so much utility value that a flyhalf has replaced an injured hooker in the squad and - lest we forget - these guys upgraded the Bomb Squad to the Nuke Squad, thanks to that 7-1 bench split stunt in the final World Cup warm-up against the All Blacks.Get 14 days free to read all our investigative and in-depth journalism. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month.
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