Donal Lenihan in Pretoria: Ireland taking on more than the power of the Springboks

Analysis: The absence of Jack Conan from the Irish bench is a concern and places a massive onus on Ronan Kelleher, James Ryan and Ryan Baird to match that re-energised Springbok physicality when Erasmus unleashes the bomb squad. 

FRONTING UP: Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong at the Irish Captain's Run on Friday at St. Peter's College in Johannesburg. Pic: Dan Sheridan, Inpho

The mental challenge 

There’s been so much talk about this two-test series in South Africa, most of it emanating from the Springbok camp in the weeks leading up to Saturday's opening test (4pm, Pretoria).