Jared Payne predicting a Springbok backlash

Jared Payne believes a Springbok backlash at Ellis Park this Saturday is guaranteed and Ireland will need a massive improvement on their first Test performance if they are to withstand it.

The full-back was one of the heroes at Newlands last weekend as Ireland won in South Africa for the first time, succeeding against the odds to win the series opener 26-20 despite losing flanker CJ Stander to a red card 23 minutes in.

The Irish team management seem unlikely to appeal Stander’s one-match suspension, delivered on Monday night after a lengthy disciplinary hearing drawn out over 11.5 hours across two days which denied head coach Joe Schmidt the opportunity to properly involve the Munsterman in his preparations for this Saturday’s second Test.