Romanian and Springbok Teams

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

Romania head coach Eugen Apjok has named his match-day 23 to face South Africa in Stade de Bordeaux on Sunday, with three personnel changes from the loss against Ireland, and two positional.

Head coach Eugen 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 tight-head prop Alexandru Gordas and number eight and captain Cristian Chirica the most experienced players with 35 caps apiece.

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 centre, where Taylor Gontineac replaces Fonovai Tangimana.

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

Hinckley Vaovasa keeps his place alongside Rupanu at fly-half 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).

Comments from South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber, captain and hooker Bongi Mbonambi, second-row Jean Kleyn and centre Andre Esterhuizen on Friday ahead of their team’s Pool B match against Romania at Stade de Bordeaux on Sunday.

Jacques Nienaber, head coach

On how Malcolm Marx’s injury happened:

“It was a freak accident, his legs just got caught in another player’s legs. It was in a contact session, it was a team run and it was just unfortunate. I’m not sure of the details of the injury but it’s serious in the fact that he’s not available for the World Cup.”

On the impact of Marx’s injury on the team:

“It’s a blow on various levels. When we left Toulon to come to Bordeaux we were all sad. Rugby players work incredibly hard for four years to come to a World Cup, the players sacrifice a lot and their families sacrifice a lot, so for him to miss out on it for such a freak accident is a big blow. The second blow, every individual in our team adds something to the Boks, to the team, so we lose that. The typical thing is in the mornings I would see Malcolm with his daughter in his arms so I’m going to miss that and the chats that we had. And then thirdly you lose a quality rugby player as a team, but also the World Cup loses a quality rugby player, and every fan wants to see the best players play in a World Cup. But we’re not the first team that’s had this happen, and it’s not the last guy that the World Cup will lose to injury.”

On the opportunity Marx’s injury presents to other players:

“When players get injured you can look at it as the cup is half empty or the cup is half full, and we look at it as the cup is half full, because if there wasn’t injuries previously Malcolm wouldn’t have been in the mix, so sometimes injury or loss of form gives players the opportunity and then they become world stars. It creates opportunities for different players to step up.”

On the impact of the injury on the Romania match:

“When the injury happened it didn’t effect our team going into this match, at all. So we will discuss it after the game, we’re fully focused on Romania because we should show them that respect, it’s only the second time we’ve played them in a World Cup so it’s a special game for us, and we should also show that respect to the players that we selected to play in that match, so we’re not talking about anything other than Romania.”

Bongi Mbonambi, captain

On being named captain for Romania:

“It’s always a massive honour and privilege to captain the Springboks, especially on the world stage. I still don’t have words for it. Being in a team like this that’s so experienced, all that experience makes my job easier on the day, so I’m looking forward to the game.”

On Marx’s injury:

“It’s a really big loss for us as a team not just on the field but off the field, he brings a lot of joy and a lot of love. It’s always a major blow when a freaky accident happens like that. Rugby is a contact sport and most injuries happen during a game but the most freakish and out-of-control injuries actually happen during training. It’s what happened to Malcolm and to myself as well, my injury happened during training. You never know when it’s going to happen so you just try and do your job to the best of your ability, enjoy the rugby, and make all the memories that you can.”

On his favourite pre-match meal:

“My go-to meal is spaghetti bolognaise.”

Jean Kleyn, second row

On playing for Ireland at Rugby World Cup 2019 and the possibility of playing against Ireland in 2023:

“It’s not something I’ve thought much about. You want to play against the best teams in the world and I think Ireland is one of the best teams in the world at the moment so I’d love to play against them. I’ve played against all of them throughout the years against Leinster and Ulster and Connacht, so I know the players well and I’m looking forward to the opportunity if it does present itself.”

On his experience being part of squads of two different nations at the Rugby World Cup:

“It’s a bit bizarre, they feel so detached from each other because so much time has passed, in my mind at least, since the 2019 World Cup. As a person I’ve grown so much and as a player I’ve developed quite a bit as well. For me intrinsically I’m not the same person I was in 2019, it almost feels like it was a different lifetime. But obviously I’m really honoured to have played for Ireland and I’m delighted now to be representing my country of birth, South Africa, and it’s an opportunity I really relish. It’s a proud moment for me and my family to get my debut for South Africa at the World Cup. If you asked me three and a half months ago I would have said there’s no chance, it’s not even on the radar, so I’m delighted it’s happened, it’s an incredible opportunity.”

Andre Esterhuizen, centre

On being named to start against Romania:

“It’s obviously a dream come true for me, I’ve worked long and hard for this and finally the day has come to play my first game at a World Cup so I’m very excited and looking forward to it.”