De Villiers’ glass half full as Boks touch down for Irish clash

SOUTH AFRICA coach Peter de Villiers touches down in Dublin with the injury-hit Springboks at lunchtime today, impressed with his players’ preparatory work and attitude shown ahead of Saturday’s Test against Ireland.

The world champions are scheduled to arrive in the Irish capital just 53 hours before kick-off at the Aviva Stadium after leaving their at-altitude training base on the high veldt close to Johannesburg last night.

With 13 players ruled out through injury and a number of walking wounded, de Villiers has delayed from naming his starting XV and matchday squad from the 30 players that made it onto the plane until this afternoon but the under-pressure coach was in upbeat mood as his squad began their journey to the northern hemisphere.