Ireland’s Six Nations title defence will only serve to fuel the Springboks ahead of the two-Test series in South Africa in July, says Jacques Nienaber.
Andy Farrell’s Ireland sealed back-to-back Six Nations titles by beating Scotland in the final round, but missed out on making history with successive Grand Slams after a penultimate-round loss to England.
Ireland will travel to South Africa for a two-Test series against the Springboks in July, pitting the current Six Nations champions against the two-time World Cup winners.
The Springboks have not beaten Ireland since 2016, losing the last three Test matches between the two, including the 2023 World Cup pool clash.
Nienaber, now based at Irish club Leinster after the World Cup, said that the Springboks will be even hungrier to beat Ireland.
“To win a back-to-back competition like the Six Nations is massive and one must see it for that,” Nienaber was quoted by the Irish Examiner. “You are the target, you are the [team] that everyone wants to play against. The opposition can’t wait to play against Ireland.
“The same will happen with South Africa, I think the two Test matches against Ireland sold out in like an hour or two. All the tickets are gone because everyone wants to test themselves against the best.
“Ireland want to test themselves against South Africa, the world champions currently. South Africa want to test themselves against Ireland, the northern hemisphere champions.
“Sometimes you get in such a habit of winning – I’m talking about the country, not the team or the players – they are so used to Ireland winning that sometimes the way they win may not be what they want but they won back-to-back Six Nations.
“I’m not saying people aren’t celebrating it, I’m just saying the energy levels… Teams get themselves up to play against Ireland because they were the top team.”
Photo: Bradley Collyer/PA/BackpagePix
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
