Preview: South Africa v Ireland
In all the two teams have met 22 times, seven times in South Africa.
Of the 22 the Springboks have won 16 and drawn one. Ireland have won five times, all in Dublin.
Of the eight matches this century, six have been in Dublin, four of them won by Ireland.
This match is not a pushover for the Springboks.
Both countries, as nations, have a history of taking on the big men – the seemingly impregnably positioned men.
As a rugby nations, South Africa is at its very worst when it feels sure of victory. And the men from the Four Proud Provinces of Ireland will know all about the tactics of fighting back, taking on the big men.
South Africa went to Dublin in 2014, filled with confidence. After all in the match prior to the Irish Test, they had beaten the All Blacks. There can be no greater confidence-boost than that. Ireland won 29-15. The Springboks had 63 percent of possession and 55 percent of territory and lost 15-29.
The Springboks who were involved in that Test and chosen for Newlands on Saturday are Willie le Roux, Patrick Lambie, Duane Vermeulen, Eben Etzebeth, Adriaan Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira and Trevor Nyakane.
The Irish who are up for it again are Jared Payne, Robbie Henshaw, Conor Murray, Jamie Heaslip, Devin Toner, Mike Ross, Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Rhys Ruddock and Ian Madigan.
Those 17 players will know what is possible.
In this year's Six Nations, Ireland ended third after England and Wales. They beat Scotland and Italy, drew with Wales and lost to France (10-9) and England.
The Springboks are yet to play this year. Their last match was a victory over Argentina at the Olympic Stadium in London for third place in the 2015 World Cup.
Ireland have made just four changes from the team that beat Scotland 35-25 in the Six Nations. They have a settled look – same coach, same captain and largely the same players, though losing Jonny Sexton is a major blow. Their one bit of chance is the selection of New Zealander Jared Payne at fullback. Normally he is a centre. In fact he made his international debut at centre against the Springboks in 2014.
South Africa have a new coach, a new captain and 13 changes from the squad that last played.
Ireland have no uncapped players; South Africa has just one – Francois de Klerk who is in the crucial position of scrumhalf against one of the best scrumhalves in world rugby, Conor Murray.
A lot will depend on De Klerk. Scrumhalf is probably the weakest position in South African rugby.
De Klerk is certainly an excellent rugby players and is surely aware that his first priority is being a scrumhalf – making accurate decisions and passing accurately and from the ground and doing it all at speed.
He can play, but letting play is so important.
That, too, is true for Damian de Allende. Both De Klerk and De Allende can let play in excellent fashion. Doing so would give their four outside backs a chance to play.
Players to Watch
For South Africa: Of the Springboks you would want to watch Willie le Roux in the hope that his old daring is back to express his creative skills. You will want to see if Lionel Mapoe can take the strength, speed and cunning he has shown in Super Rugby into the Test arena. Of the forwards there should be eager eyes on Francois Louw, both the locks, tighthead Frans Malherbe and, when he gets on, rangy Pieter-Steph du Toit. But most of all you will want De Klerk to do well.
For Ireland: Both Irish wings have speed. Andrew Trimble adds strength to that and Keith Earls clever footwork. Of course, there will be added interest in the performance of Stander, a man from George who has earned the right to play for Ireland and has done so with distinction. And then there are the brains, strength and skill of Connor Murray.
Head to Head: The front row battle is always crucial and how Jack McGrath copes with Frans Malherbe could be vital in that battle. The contest in the line-out will be important in providing an attacking base. Here Toner's height will count but he is against five Springboks who can jump. In addition the Irish will have to contend with the ball-in-hand ability of Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth. When Ireland beat South Africa in 2014, the victory was made possible by their domination of the tackle. So the battle of Louw and chums against Jordi Murphy and others could decide how the Springboks play and who wins."You pick your best player at scrumhalf." That is what the great Stephen Fry said and that contest between De Klerk and Murphy is a vital one, one which De Klerk with his sudden unpredictability could win.
Recent results:
2014: Ireland won 29-15, Dublin
2012: South Africa won 16-12, Dublin
2010: South Africa won 23-21, Dublin
2009: Ireland won 15-10, Dublin
2006: Ireland won 32-15, Dublin
2004: Ireland won 17-12, Dublin
2004: South Africa won 26-17, Cape Town
2004: South Africa won 31-17, Bloemfontein
Prediction: The Springboks will win the singing. After all they all sing, while Ireland's captain chews gum. But the match will matter more than the singing and we stick out a long neck and say the Springboks will win by 15 points or more.
Teams
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Jon-Paul Pietersen, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Siyamthanda Kolisi, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Warren Whiteley, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Jesse Kriel.
Ireland: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Jordi Murphy, 6 CJ Stander, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best (captain), 1 Jack McGrath.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Finlay Bealham, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Craig Gilroy.
Date: Saturday, 11 June 2016
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17.00 (16.00 Ireland time; 15.00 GMT)
Expected weather: Clear – sunny and cool, perfect for rugby, with a high of 18°C, dropping to 8°C. Cape winter days are glorious.
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Matthew Carley (England)
TMO: Jim Yuille (Scotland)
By Paul Dobson'
@rugby365com
