VIDEO: Rassie warns about 'Irish backlash'
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus knows Ireland is planning a massive comeback when the two teams meet in the second Test in Durban on Saturday.
Speaking to the media in the wake of the 27-20 win over Ireland at Loftus Versfeld at the weekend, the coach warned his team that they could expect a massive backlash from the No.2 ranked team in the world.
South Africa ended their eight-year losing streak to Ireland and handed Rassie Erasmus his first win over the Irish after three attempts.
The Boks scored three tries in their victory and had a 27-13 lead with minutes to play.
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The back-to-back World Cup champs allowed the Irish back into the game with two late tries – courtesy of Conor Murray in the 74th minute and Ryan Baird in the 78th minute – which almost saw the visitors snatch a late win.
The Boks’ victory certainly set an enticing tone for the Durban Test, where the hosts will look to bag a whitewash and the visitors will be out to clinch a draw.
“Just like this match, they [Ireleand] never give up,” Erasmus said when asked what challenge the Irish will pose next week.
“They will try to come out more dominant.
“I don’t know if their bench will be the same, but the guys who came on – when Garry Ringrose came on, he was a bit more challenging in one-on-one situations.
“That’s not to say Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw aren’t great players, they run over you.
“Jack Crowley will be more settled in the second test.”
Erasmus stated that injuries in the Irish set-up disrupted their cause and warned his team to be at their best next week at Kings Park.
“They had a hooker injury and their No.9 went down, so there were disruptive things in the game, but it was certainly not that we were confident.
“The try of Cheslin [Kolbe] was the putaway, where we were lucky.
However, until the last second, we were still nervy about the game.
“They are not going to go away; they are going to be there, and we will have to perform.”
The Springboks will announce their team to face Ireland on Tuesday.
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