Boks will keep eye firmly on the ball

SOUTH Africa skipper John Smit has no complaints with the appointment of referee Paul Honiss for today’s tour opener in Dublin — but has told his players Ireland must be watched at all times.

Honiss awarded a controversial try by Ronan O’Gara at Lansdowne Road two years ago that infuriated the Springbok camp following the last meeting between the sides.

The Kiwi official told Smit — a rookie Test skipper at the time — to speak to his players following repeated infringements.

Smit immediately turned his back and began lecturing the team when O’Gara took the penalty quickly and strolled over for a decisive try in Ireland’s 17-12 victory.

Honiss was heavily criticised by the South African management but Smit admits accusations that he was to blame for the defeat were just sour grapes.

“I’ve told the players to watch their opponents at all times. We’ve had Paul Honiss a few times since the last Test in Ireland,” he said.

“There was a bit of controversy surrounding the try.

“As South Africans we would like to blame that decision for losing but we certainly had more than enough opportunities to score tries and win the game but didn’t take them.

“Paul Honiss has shown he is a top referee in all internationals he has refereed since then.

“But communication at Lansdowne Road can be a problem. One thing that is different at Lansdowne Road compared to any other stadium of the world is the crowd feel on top of you.

“Communicating on the field in terms of the lineout, especially in the corners, is tricky and you have to have a quick line of communication. The crowd is really noisy.”

For the first time in living memory Ireland are favourites to beat South Africa and Smit insists their experience explains why.

“This is a similar situation to 2004. They were the Triple Crown holders and we were relatively unknown,” he said.

“They have over 700 caps between their 22 and experience definitely lies on their side.

“Anyone putting money on the game would back their experience. They’ll feel pretty comfortable given the experience they have. Ireland are very settled. They have been playing together under Brian O’Driscoll’s captaincy for some time. We’ll have to watch the midfield with Brian and Gordon D’Arcy there. Our defence will have to be on top.”

Smit will equal Gary Teichmann’s record for captaining South Africa 36 times and will also make history by becoming the first Springbok to appear in 40 consecutive matches. “If it’s a record held by Gary Teichmann then it would be a huge honour to match it. He’s a phenomenal man and one of the greatest Springbok captains,” he said.

“ Gary has been very supportive of me. He was my first captain when I started playing at 18. He was an unbelievable role model.”

South Africa will wear replicas of their 1906 green and white jersey, with no sponsor’s logo, to commemorate a centenary of Springbok rugby.