I think this team has got a physical edge on them and a tactical edge on them - Erasmus complimentary of Farrell's Ireland

FULL OF PRAISE: South Africa Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Rassie Erasmus’s respect for Andy Farrell’s Ireland was obvious as he spoke about them in Dublin yesterday but the former Munster boss doubled down on his assertion that they were a “soft” team under previous management.

World champions South Africa face the top-ranked team in Test rugby this Saturday, the first time the Springboks have visited Aviva Stadium since a night to forget in November 2017 when Joe Schmidt’s men hammered them 38-3.