VIDEO: 'There is some mental damage'

WATCH as a few Bok legends discuss Leinster’s loss to the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship semifinals and whether it will have a significant impact on the upcoming South Africa v Ireland series.

The Bulls produced an outstanding performance to beat the Irish giants 25-20 at Loftus Versfeld.

It’s been said that Leinster are an extension of Ireland with so many of their Test stars based in Dublin.

Last weekend’s result extended Leinster’s trophy drought and it has almost mirrored Ireland’s failed World Cup campaigns in the past.

In a discussion with Springbok legends Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger in the latest episode of Boks Office, host Hanyani Shimange wanted to know the psychological impact of these results.

Ireland will face the Springboks in the first of two Tests on July 6 in Pretoria.

“There is some mental damage there I would think,” said De Villiers.

“The more you want to get away from it, the more it just sticks to you.

“You shake it by being in that situation and getting over the line.”

When asked what the Bulls v Leinster result means for Ireland in the upcoming Test series, De Villiers said: “It’s a different coaching team, but 80 percent of the same players.

“Maybe the environment is different.”

Meanwhile, Burger added: “It is the same type of style though.

“If you look at Ireland in the big games, it is a similar trend.

“France can front up and they got the body type that can slow the breakdown.

“The Boks can do the same thing.

“The Boks can really challenge them physically.”

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