The Springboks are gearing up for a massive clash against Ireland at the AVIVA Stadium this Saturday night. After tough back-to-back wins against France and Italy, both played with 14 men, the Boks are hoping the adversity they faced has prepared them for the Irish challenge.
Boks Learn From Past Battles
The Springboks have shown resilience and the ability to turn pressure into points, a crucial skill against a strong Irish side. Reminders abound that Ireland has won four of the last five encounters between the two teams, highlighting the tight rivalry.
The United Rugby Championship showcases the intense competition between Irish and South African sides, with the competition incredibly close since South Africa's entry into European rugby. South African teams know that the Irish are masters of possession and can strike with devastating speed.
Drawing Inspiration from New Zealand
New Zealand's recent victory over Ireland in Chicago, achieved by absorbing pressure in the first half and unleashing in the second, offers a potential blueprint. However, Ireland will be a much tougher opponent on home soil.
The Boks have proven their ability to withstand pressure in the past two weeks, with red cards to Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert forcing them to dig deep. This experience will be vital against Ireland.
Suffocating the Irish: The Key to Victory
As anyone who watches Leinster knows, not allowing them to build a significant lead is crucial. The Boks possess the ingredients for this: a powerful scrum and the ability to suffocate their opponents. The Springboks need to bring their A-game to Dublin if they want to emerge victorious.
- Strong scrum
- Resilience under pressure
- Ability to convert pressure into points