Ireland ready for acid test
When Ireland last toured the home of the Springboks in 1998, South Africa possessed the best side in world rugby. They were in the middle of an unbeaten record 17-match test run and had the necessary mix of pace, power and aggression to dominate all comers.
When one adds the traditional arrogance that typifies the Afrikaner, they were an awesome side. Much has changed in the intervening period.
Ireland is ranked one place above South Africa in the IRB world rankings, in fifth place. The sea of change that has affected South African rugby is best illustrated by the fact that Eddie O’Sullivan’s side travels as favourites to win this two-match test series, and justifiably so.
Since the 1999 Rugby World Cup, South African rugby has been riddled with controversy both on and off the field. When Steve Larkham’s extra- time drop goal put Nick Mallet’s side out of the competition at the semi-final stage, his future with the team was on borrowed time.
Mallet had been the most successful South African coach of the modern era. Since his dismissal for criticising the cost of test match tickets in 2000, South Africa has hired and fired another three coaches.
In the aftermath of this season’s World Cup, details of coach Rudi Straeuli’s boot-camp sent shock waves around the rugby world.
On his dismissal, the South African rugby union should have swallowed their pride and re-appointed Mallet.
He didn’t even receive a phone call to clarify his availability.
Off the field, the administration of their game is in turmoil. It is no wonder up to 20 potential test Springboks are plying their trade overseas.
Where once the Springbok jersey was the symbol of success and power in South Africa, younger players are now content to accumulate caps over three seasons and emigrate for financial security.
The quota system, which dictates that a pre-designated number of coloured players must represent South Africa, has created further difficulties.
This reached crisis proportions when second rows Quentin Davids and Geo Cronje were sent home prior to the World Cup due to racial tension within the camp
For new coach Jake White, Saturday’s opening encounter in Bloemfontein against Ireland is a difficult assignment. The changing nature of Springbok squads is in evidence once more.
Incredibly, only five of the South African team that played in their last international against New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-final remain in the squad.
Therefore the side that Ireland will face on Saturday will be one of the most inexperienced ever fielded by South Africa. On the other hand, Ireland has an average of 36 caps per man, an incredible statistic.
The biggest obstacle to an Irish success could be self-inflicted. As a result of Ulster’s and Leinster’s failure to reach the Heineken Cup quarter-finals, many of the Irish players are lacking serious match practice prior to the opening test.
While in the professional era nobody could question fitness, match hardness is a different matter. Given that this game will be played at over 5,000 feet, altitude could be a problem for some of the players.
After 15 minutes the thin air can create panic, with shortness of breath and a burning sensation in the throat.
It is vital that Ireland is prepared and ready for this. It could well be their greatest obstacle.
While the South African Super 12 sides have shown much improvement in this year’s competition, only one, the Western Stormers, reached the semi-finals.
Unquestionably there is new talent in the South African game.
Nowhere is this more evidenced than in the back row, where Pedrie Wannenburg, Schalk Burger and Juan Smith have enormous potential.
Smith was outstanding in the World Cup along with Joe Van Niekerk, who is ruled out through injury. The loss of De Wet Barry and Ashwin Willemse in training this week will impact on their attacking potential.
The South Africans have also swallowed their pride in inviting overseas-based players Percy Montgomery and Jaco Van der Westhuyzen back to the fold. The selection of the latter is the most interesting. Last season he was outstanding in an attacking context when playing at full-back. Yet he failed to make their World Cup squad.
When joining the Leicester Tigers last September, circumstances decreed that he ended up playing in his former position of out-half and was voted the best overseas player in the Zurich Premiership by the end of the season.
Such is their dire need for a playmaker that White has selected him in this pivotal position on Saturday.
Whether he possesses the kicking game to control international rugby remains to be seen.
The one thing that Ireland can be assured of is a hostile reception from the Afrikaner support base that still exists in Bloemfontein. On the field the Springboks are sure to set out to physically intimidate Ireland up front.
The return of the massive Os du Randt along with the second row pairing of Botha and Matfield will ensure that Paul O’Connell and co will be offered a stern test. It is one that Ireland are capable of handling.
Behind the scrum, Ireland possesses sufficient control and pace to ask questions of their hosts. Defensively, they should also be better organised.
Only once ever has an Irish team tasted victory against the Springboks and that was on home soil in 1965.
When England lifted the William Webb Ellis trophy last November, it was a clear indication that northern hemisphere rugby was on the verge of surpassing its southern counterparts.
Victory for Ireland next Saturday will offer further evidence of this shift.
It will also cause serious ramifications for the game in South Africa.
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