International rugby preview: Ireland will hope to beat a depleted Springbok team
Ireland believe that they can record back to back wins over South Africa in their opening Test of the Autumn Internationals this Saturday 6 November.
Ireland line-up
The Irish team have received a massive boost this week after Brian O’Driscoll was named in the side to play the Springboks at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Irish coach Declan Kidney has a number of injury concerns and the biggest loss will be long-term injured lock Paul O’Connell who has not played all season.
The British and Irish Lions captain is joined on the injury list by fellow Munster forwards Jerry Flannery and prop Marcus Horan.
Keith Earls has recovered from his leg injury, but he will not start for Kidney’s side. John Hayes is also omitted and prop Tony Buckley will start for the veteran, who has not missed a game for Ireland
when fit in over 10 years.
The backline is dominated by Leinster players and O’Driscoll is joined by club-mates Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney, half-backs Eoin Reddan and Jonathan Sexton and midfield partner Gordon D’Arcy who makes
his 50th cap.
Teams' form
Ireland have had an indifferent year. In the 2010 Six Nations, they were defeated by France and Scotland and were thrashed on the tour of New Zealand 66-28 by the All Blacks in the summer.
South Africa have problems of their own. Coach Peter de Villiers is under pressure after their disastrous Tri Nations Series. The Springboks only recorded one win in the tournament at home against Australia.
In last year’s Autumn Internationals they lost to Ireland 15-10 and will be hoping to exact revenge and stop the Irish recording two wins in a row over the South African team.
South Africa line-up
De Villiers also has a number of injury concerns. Captain John Smit is recovering from a neck injury and lock Victor Matfield will captain the Springbok’s in his absence.
Schalk Burger is the latest first team player to pull out of the squad. Flanker Deon Stegmann will make his debut in place of Burger.
The Springboks have 13 players out injured including influential forwards Heinrich Brussow and BJ Botha as well as backs like JP Pietersen and Fourie Du Preez.
Ulster scrum-half Ruan Pienaar comes into the team as the Springbok scrum-half while Jean De Villiers is named in the midfield. De Villiers place is in doubt due to an injury and if the centre fails to
recover, Patrick Lambie is on stand-by to make his debut for the visitors.
What to look for
A depleted South African team will aim to dominate the Irish up front. South Africa will hold the advantage in the scrum where are Ireland are extremely weak.
The Springboks should also hold an advantage in the line out as they boast the best second row pairing in the world with captain Matfield and the aggressive Bakkies Botha. Ireland will also be missing
their own line out specialist in O’Connell.
Ireland will attempt to exploit the Springboks with their talented back line and will rely on the forwards winning enough ball to provide them with a platform to attack.
Both sides will believe they can win and it is expected to be a physical and tight contest. Ireland may just sneak a win as they play in the new Aviva Stadium for the first time.
Prediction: Ireland 18 South Africa 15
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