Bismarck du Plessis has warned that talk around South Africa’s recent record against Ireland will only fire the Springboks up for the two-Test series.
The last time the juggernauts met was at the 2023 World Cup where Ireland came away 13-8 winners in a tight group stage clash to extend their current streak over South Africa to three wins.
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Saturday’s Test at Loftus Versfeld marks the first clash on South African soil since 2016, with the Boks looking to get their first victory over Ireland since then.
Speaking to Sunday newspaper Rapport, former Bok hooker Du Plessis said the more people bring up South Africa’s record against Ireland, the more it will fire the defending world champions up for the series.
“South Africa has a point to prove,” Du Plessis told Rapport. “Ireland have an established team and have been successful over the last eight years.
“Eight years is a long time and this is no longer the same Bok team that lost so badly in Dublin in 2017 (38-3). In the meantime, they have won two consecutive World Cups.
“Also, Leinster, which contains 90% of Ireland’s squad, recently lost to the Bulls in the semi-final of the United Rugby Championship at Loftus.
“Test rugby is a horse of a different colour, and Ireland are a team that retain possession well and put the opposition under great pressure by repeatedly taking the ball through a number of phases.
“However, before they can build this kind of momentum on Saturday, the Irish will first have to find a way through the wall of the Bok defence.”
Photo: Paul Harding/Gallo Images
The post Bismarck: Boks have a point to prove appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
