JUST IN: Romania name side to tackle Springboks in Bordeaux

Romania head coach Eugen Apjok has announced his squad to face South Africa at the Stade de Bordeaux on Sunday, 17 September.

Kick-off is at 15:00 (SA time).

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Apjok has made three changes of personnel to his starting XV for the Oaks’ second match of the tournament, while the two retained wingers, Nicholas Onutu and Tevita Manumua, swap jerseys and play 11 and 14, respectively.

Romania’s starting XV only has 323 caps (195 in the forwards and 128 in the backs), with tighthead prop Alexandru Gordas and number eight and captain Cristian Chirica the most experienced player with 35 caps apiece.

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In the pack, Marius Iftimiciuc comes into the second row in place of Stefan Iancu, who moves to the bench, while Andre Gorin will become the 24th Romania player in the space of a week to make their Rugby World Cup debut after being named on the blindside.

The only other change of personnel comes at the centre, where Taylor Gontineac replaces Fonovai Tangimana.

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Romania’s oldest and most experienced player at RWC 2023, Florin Surugiu, is still not fit, so Gabriel Rupanu retains his place at scrumhalf. Rupanu’s try, clocked at just two minutes and 11 seconds, was Romania’s quickest-ever Rugby World Cup try.

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Hinckley Vaovasa keeps his place alongside Rupanu at flyhalf after a superb outing in only his second test start in the position against Ireland.

He beat nine defenders – only New Zealand’s Mark Telea managed more (11).

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TEAMS:

Romania

15 Marius Simionescu, 14 Tevita Manumua, 13 Jason Tomane, 13 Jason Tomane, 12 Taylor Gontineac, 11 Nicholas Onutu, 10 Hinckley Vaovasa, 9 Gabriel Rupanu, 8 Cristian Chirica (captain), 7 Vlad Neculau, 6 Andre Gorin, 5 Marius Iftimiciuc, 4 Adrian Motoc, 3 Alexandru Gordas, 2 Ovidiu Cojocaru, 1 Iulian Hartig

Substitutes: 16 Robert Irimescu, 17 Alexandru Savin, 18 Thomas Cretu, 19 Stefan Iancu, 20 Damian Stratila, 21 Cristi Boboc, 22 Alin Conache, 23 Gabriel Pop 

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Grant Williams, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Kwagga Smith, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi (c), 1 Ox Nche

Substitutes: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 RG Snyman, 20, Jasper Wiese, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Jesse Kriel