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Ireland still not over Ellis Park loss

The Springboks won 32-26 last Saturday after being 3-19 down at half-time and then 10-26 behind going into the final quarter.

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The win meant that South Africa levelled the series 1-1 after losing the opening match 20-26 at Newlands on June 11.

"We are still going over the footage – we are still kind of hurting over it," said Toner who was speaking to reporters at the team's hotel in Port Elizabeth ahead of the third Test.

"Training went alright today [Tuesday], but we are very much still in recovery mode so I think we are going to try and build our way into the week. We are going to try and get back into it by Friday and try to peak on Saturday."

Toner said their defence let them down in the final quarter in Johannesburg.

"We let them run at us and we fell off some tackles, so it basically comes down to that physicality and getting the shoulder over and getting that first-up contact. 

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"I don't know whether it was a lapse in concentration or tiredness, but the last 15 minutes just kind of killed us," the big lock added.

Playing at altitude might have played a factor in Ireland's performance in the last 20 minutes, but Toner said it was not a factor for him.

"I did not feel any difference. I am usually quite tired at the end of games anyway. For me personally it wasn’t a challenge." he said.

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Meanwhile, Toner said that CJ Stander will be a great addition to the matchday 23 if selected for the third Test.

Stander is coming back from a one-week suspension for foul play in the first Test in Cape Town. 

"He is a fantastic player as he has shown for Munster now over the last couple of years," said Toner.

"He is an awesome player and he loves getting on the ball – he is a great ball carrier. 

"If CJ gets selected it is a plus for the team."

By Warren Fortune, in Port Elizabeth

@FortuneWarren

@rugby365com

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