Ireland captain dismisses Bok Test as a friendly
SPOTLIGHT: Ireland captain Caelan Doris said Saturday’s Nations Series Test against world champions South Africa is not an end-of-year friendly but a match with “a lot on the line”.
The 27-year-old loose forward’s form has improved much like Ireland’s during the November Tests.
His rustiness is understandable as he returned after a long lay-off due to a shoulder operation.
He scored a try in their 46-19 record win over Australia last Saturday, which was a vastly improved performance on a somewhat flattering 41-10 victory over Japan the preceding weekend.
Doris said that this match was “the real test” and there was definitely an extra edge when Ireland and South Africa played each other.
The Irish under Andy Farrell have beaten them three times in the four Tests they have met, including inflicting the only defeat on the Springboks when they won their second successive World Cup in 2023.
“There’s definitely a rivalry there,” said Doris at his eve of match press conference.
“There’s a strong understanding of how we both want to play the game.
“We’ve had some good results. They’ve beaten us over there as well in 2024.
“Yeah, there’s a lot on the line tomorrow [Saturday], that’s the feeling anyway.”
Doris, who skippered the Irish to the 2024 Six Nations title, said beating the Boks would put a pep in their step looking ahead to next year’s Six Nations.
“I think probably the success of this November hinges a little bit on our performance this weekend,” he said.
“This week is a special one, the last Test match of the year for us.
“Momentum has been built, and we want to finish on a proper high.”
