Irish eyes focused on historic victory

Ireland will be out to record a new landmark in their rich rugby history on Saturday when they attempt to score their first ever Test win against the Springboks in South Africa.

Considering the only Irish victory against the Boks was back in 1965 in Dublin, if they can achieve the feat they will have written a remarkable chapter in their history after their Triple Crown win and victory over world champions England this year.

But while the Boks have been ravaged by injury – with no less than seven withdrawals in the past three weeks from their starting 22 – the altitude and hard fields of the Free State capital pose the biggest threat to Ireland’s chances in the first Test.

The Irish, possibly for the first time against the Boks, are seen as a major threat to the country’s hopes. They are self-confident and have developed a style of play which has made them one of the toughest teams to play on the international stage.

But whether their arrival just 48 hours before the Test on the Highveld - where the air burns thinly and the ball flies further – will give them enough time to prepare is debatable.

The Boks have trained in Bloemfontein for almost a month now, and should be over any problems with the altitude while the Irish decision to prepare at sea level in Cape Town will be tested to the hilt.

“The altitude is rough over here, the air really burns in your lungs and you can feel it, that is why we decided to come up so early,” said Springboks coach Jake White.

The hard fields have been compounded by a biting cold that has swept through the city in the past week, and will be a far cry from what the Irish are used to at home.

But in contrast they find a Bok side who are a relatively unknown force. They have a new coach and have still to prove themselves after the embarrassing performance in last year’s World Cup, not to mention the Kamp Staaldraad and racial scandals.

“We know what we are up against, but the nice thing is that we are confident that if we can play to our potential, then we should win,” said Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan.

If Ireland can weather the expected early storm, and the powerful physical onslaught the Boks have been preparing for them, then they have the talent, especially out wide, to make the home team pay.

Their highly-rated midfield pairing of Gordon D’Arcy and captain Brian O’Driscoll are likely to play a major role.

The Boks have made no secret of the fact they intend to be physical and try and overpower the Irish up front but they have promised there will be none of the indiscipline that has plagued the Springbok sides over the past few years.

“The first 20 minutes will be hell for both teams and we have to be psychologically and tactically shrewd during that time. We have to be aggressive, but we have to keep our heads as well,” said assistant coach Gert Smal.

Up front though, Os du Randt last played Test rugby in 1999, and Eddie Andrews is a debutant against the settled front row of John Hayes and Reggie Corrigan.

Ireland stand on the brink of another glorious moment under O’Sullivan. The Boks won’t give up the record easily but if their self-confidence is anything to go by, history beckons in the Free State on Saturday.

South Africa team: Gaffie du Toit, Breyton Paulse, Marius Joubert, Wayne Julies, Henno Mentz, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Fourie du Preez, Pedrie Wannenburg, Jacques Cronje, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Eddie Andrews, John Smit (captain), Os du Randt.

Reserves: Hanyani Shimange, CJ van der Linde, Quinton Davids, Gerrie Britz, Bolla Conradie, Jaque Fourie, Brent Russell.

Ireland team: Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Gordon D’Arcy, Brian O’Driscoll (captain), Geordan Murphy, Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer, Anthony Foley, David Wallace, Simon Easterby, Paul O’Connell, Malcolm O’Kelly, John Hayes, Shane Byrne, Reggie Corrigan.

Reserves: Frankie Sheahan, Marcus Horan, Donncha O’Callaghan, Alan Quinlan, Guy Easterby, David Humphreys, Kevin Maggs.

Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)