A pre-game pep talk from Joe Schmidt has primed CJ Stander for take off after a slow start to the campaign and the Lions back rower is raring to go for both the Ireland boss and Munster’s incoming head coach, Johann van Graan.

The mood in South African rugby is understandably glum after the Springboks lost 57-0 to the All Blacks at the weekend, but none of that worried Leinster backline coach Girvan Dempsey yesterday.

Eoin Reddan did not get the finale his glittering career deserved but the veteran scrum-half at least bowed out on his own terms, eager to make his new life in business every bit as successful as the one he enjoyed in rugby.

South Africa 32 Ireland 26: Ireland touched down in Port Elizabeth yesterday with a metaphorical bump and more than a few bruises after a torrid second-half backlash from South Africa saw the Springboks come from 19-3 and 26-10 down in Johannesburg to level the series with a deciding Test to come.

There’s something deliciously gruff about Steve Hansen and something gloriously barmy about Heyneke Meyer. Talk about being as dry as chalk and as mad as cheese.

Today is one of those days rugby fanatics relish as an autumn chill begins to bite and the November internationals get up and running, making the armchair seem even more appealing.

Now it is Munster’s turn to sweat over the fitness of Paul O’Connell.

The three key battles that will decide the Guinness Series opener

South Africa 16 New Zealand 32

THERE’S pressure, and there’s what Graham Henry is enduring at the moment.

IT IS somewhat unfortunate that the ongoing saga about the IRFU ticketing policy has overshadowed the return of international rugby to its traditional home in Lansdowne Road.

IT WAS so cold last Saturday evening in Croke Park that we had to rely on gossip about the world’s most famous golfer to keep ourselves warm.

IRELAND’S new loose head prop Cian Healy is too unassuming to allow familiarity breed contempt when he faces South Africa at Croke Park this afternoon. His direct opponent from the start will be BJ Botha, who plies his trade with Ulster, while one of the Boks’ possible replacements in the front row is Healy’s Leinster colleague CJ Van der Linde.

SOUTH AFRICA captain John Smit may return to the middle of the front row for his side’s visit to Dublin to take on Ireland next weekend.

SOUTH AFRICAN prop Tendai Mtawarira’s participation in tonight’s Test against France in Toulouse is in doubt due to ongoing confusion surrounding his citizenship.

IN ONE sense, South African rugby star Jean de Villiers didn’t time his arrival in Ireland that well.

New Zealand’s injury concerns ahead of their Tri-Nations clash with South Africa have eased after skipper Richie McCaw, centre Conrad Smith, lock Isaac Ross and hooker Keven Mealamu all came through the team’s light training session in Centurion yesterday.

SOUTH AFRICAN rugby bosses have moved to defuse a potentially explosive row over the Springboks’ behaviour during the national anthem before Saturday’s test win over the British and Irish Lions.

SOUTH AFRICA assistant coach Gary Gold insists there is no danger the Springboks will go into tomorrow’s first Test against the British and Irish Lions under-prepared.

ENGLAND will face South Africa in the World Cup final on Saturday after the Springboks emphatically ended Argentina’s tournament hopes at Stade de France last night.

CONNACHT coach Michael Bradley has handed debuts to three players for Tuesday’s pre-season clash with South Africa at the Sportsground.

UNDER-FIRE Springbok coach Jake White’s future is on a knife edge after he was ordered to return to South Africa next week for a crunch meeting.

South Africa coach Jake White has sprung a surprise by switching Jean de Villiers to the wing in place of Breyton Paulse to face New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday.

South Africa 33 Australia 20

Piers Robertson

WASPS flanker Johnny O’Connor is poised to make his Ireland debut against Tri-Nations champions South Africa at Lansdowne Road on Saturday week.

A spirited second-half fightback from Ireland almost received the reward it deserved but ultimately South Africa held on to win the second Test in Cape Town to win the series 2-0.

South Africa 26 Ireland 17

Gwent Dragons full-back Percy Montgomery is set to make his long-awaited international comeback following a two-year absence after being named in South Africa’s starting line-up for Saturday’s second Test against Ireland at Newlands.

Newport full-back Percy Montgomery and Leicester fly-half Jaco Van Der Westhuyzen have confirmed to the South African RFU that they are available for Springbok selection.

South Africa Rugby president Silas Nkanunu has ordered an urgent meeting of the board of directors at which Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli’s future will come under renewed scrutiny.

The Springbok rugby team management are not considering calling for a replacement for injured hooker Dale Santon unless his groin problem worsens.

England boss Clive Woodward has come out in support of Wallaby coach Eddie Jones who labelled the Springboks “a disgrace to world rugby” following Saturday’s fractious Tri-Nations encounter.