How Joe Schmidt handles next few days will determine Ireland’s fate

The contrast could not be more striking. If Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, venue for the opening test, ranked as one of the most scenic and picturesque in world rugby then Ellis Park, situated in what has become the ghettoed heartland of downtown Johannesburg, was stark and foreboding, writes Donal Lenihan.

Apart from the challenge that a wounded South African team carried into this game, the big challenge facing Ireland on Saturday was always likely to be in dealing with the altitude.

So superior were Ireland in the technical, tactical and game management elements for three-quarters of the contest that I’m certain had this game being played at sea level, Ireland would be celebrating a momentous series win.