O'Sullivan wants final push

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan called for a final flourish from his side as they ended a gruelling international season against South Africa at Newlands today.

Ireland had already played 14 Tests in a successful season in which they claimed the Triple Crown.

But O’Sullivan was disappointed with his side’s performance in the first Test last week (the Springboks won 31-17) and was looking for a huge improvement.

“The bottom line is we did not get out of second gear last Saturday. My belief is there is a big game left in the team and if we could rack off a win at Newlands I think it would be one of the all-time great seasons for us.”

O’Sullivan’s team were vying to become the first Ireland side to win a Test match on South African soil.

Ireland’s chances got a boost yesterday with the news that the hosts’ star performer from the first Test, lock Bakkies Botha, had withdrawn with an ankle injury.

The Test was also likely to be played on a heavy Newlands pitch with rain forecast. The first Test, which was dominated by the big Springbok pack, was played in bone dry conditions at high altitude in Bloemfontein.

O’Sullivan refused to concede that his side will be helped by a wet Newlands.

“I think both teams will want a sunny day,” the coach said.

“Rugby was not designed to be played in the wet and both teams will have to change the game plans if it rains during the game. I think both Jake (South Africa coach Jake White) and I will hope for a dry day.”

Meanwhile, White was confident that Quinton Davids, Botha’s late replacement, would do a good job against the Irish.

White claimed all three loose forwards – Jacques Cronje, Pedrie Wannenburg and Schalk Burger – offered options in the line-outs.

“In addition we have Gerrie Britz and Geo Cronje on the bench, so I don’t expect us to have a problem,” the coach said.

“People should not under-estimate Quinton. He has been looking for a long time for the opportunity of playing and he will use this one.”