Jack McGrath relishing trip into the unknown

Jack McGrath knows what it takes to beat the Springboks. He is equally aware that beating them in Dublin is one thing, attempting to repeat the trick in Cape Town quite another.

Ireland on Saturday have a first opportunity in 12 years to do just that and claim a first Test victory on South African soil.

But there is a reason the feat has not been accomplished previously in seven attempts going back to a first meeting here in 1961.

Joe Schmidt’s squad are aware of the history and despite getting the better of the Boks at the Aviva Stadium in November 2014, loosehead prop McGrath knows the pressure, physicality and intensity from the hosts will ramp up several notches when the South Africans take to the field at a passionate Newlands this weekend.

“Absolutely, it’s different gravy playing them in their home spot so for us as a pack we really have to step up because they take pride in their forward battles, especially their scrum,” McGrath said.

“It’s an area we need to be really clued in because I think if we give them an inch they’re going to take a mile and that’s what gets their crowd into the game. If they’re dominating their scrum it starts from there so we need to be aware of that.”

Much has been made of the transition the South Africans have made since reaching the World Cup semi-finals last November with a number of retirements and a new head coach with Allister Coetzee replacing Heyneke Meyer. This will mark the beginning for the incoming Springboks coach and his new charges but McGrath, who went up against now retired tighthead Jannie Du Plessis in Dublin, does not buy into the talk of a new era for South Africa.

“There are a few guys gone but they still haven’t got a weak spot. Their depth is huge in the spine of the team and the quality of the team that’s there (is obvious), they just got to the semi-final of a World Cup. They’re third in the world and they’ve plenty of quality there so I don’t think missing a couple of guys is going to affect them. There’s quality young guys coming through and the game plan they want to play, every South African team wants to play it and it doesn’t vary too much.

“They want to dominate you and work you hard and be physically abrasive.

“It’s exciting because it’s our first time here in 12 years and there’s a lot of young guys on the tour and they’re really looking forward to it.”

McGrath, 26, has played in South Africa before, as part of a talented Leinster Schools U18 squad that also featured Dominic Ryan, Marty Moore and Noel Reid amongst others and toured in 2007, winning all five of their games against provincial and development sides. Yet a first Test series here in a dozen years means Saturday’s opener in Cape Town is a new experience for everyone in the Ireland squad and, McGrath asserts, an absence of fear.

“Exactly. They’re not (afraid). But a lot of boys saw when South Africa played the Lions back in 2009 and how intense it was. I remember watching and thinking I’ve never experienced — even watching on the TV — anything like it. I always thought I’d love to be able to play over here and luckily I have an opportunity.

“Experience is a big thing. It’s not as if we’re being thrown into the deep end. There’s still experienced guys here and we may have lost some but we’ve gained guys who are coming in and have won trophies and are flying high. You want to be putting your best players on the pitch and guys who are really confident at the moment. It’s going to be great to have them.”

McGrath also agreed that for a forward pack, this coming series was the ultimate test.“Absolutely. In South Africa, in Cape Town, it is. We’re excited but there’s a bit of nervousness there. It’s going to be incredible, like nothing any of us have experienced and we’re all raring to go.”