Ireland v South Africa Preview

After 6 Nations success in Paris last March, Ireland return to the Aviva Stadium to take on the Springboks on Saturday. After defeating a second string Argentinian side in the Summer, Ireland now face their first big test after the retirement of their talisman Brian O’Driscoll, and will do battle with an impressive South Africa side who will go into this game full of confidence after their win against The All Blacks last month,

Ireland’s record against the Boks fares well for them ahead of Saturday’s game, with Joe Schmidt’s side winning 3 out of the last 5 games against South Africa. However the Springboks defeated Ireland the last time these two sides met. Defeating Ireland in a 16-12 win, with Pienaar getting the only try of the game. With Ireland failing to defeat Australia and New Zealand last November Joe Schmidt will be hoping for his first win over a Southern Hemisphere side.

In teams news Jared Payne will make his test debut for his adopted country wearing the famous 13 jersey with Connacht centre Robbie Henshaw partnering him at 12. It was expected that Henshaw would get the 13 jersey but due to the injury and lack of match fitness of Gordon D’arcy, Henshaw will start at 12,.It will be the first time since 1999 that neither O'Driscoll or D'arcy has lined out for Ireland in front of the Irish fans. Tommy Bowe returns to the side having missed the Six Nations campaign through injury and Simon Zebo gets his chance on the left wing with Dave Kearney and Andrew Trimble suffering from injuries. In the forwards Sean O’Brien has had a bad time with injuries and misses the entire Autumn series with Henry and O’Mahony Ireland’s flankers. In the Front row as expected Best and Healy are out with injuries, with Leinster duo Jack McGrath and Sean Cronin taking their place.

As for the Springboks they start off their first of four games in November with a more or less their strongest 15 available to them. They are unchanged from the side that defeated The All Blacks 27-25 last month, with the impressive young Outhalf Pollard keeping his place in the side after breaking into the Boks teams after an impressive Junior World Cup in the Summer. Apart from the starting 15 the Boks will be able to call upon the likes of Burger, Botha and J.P Pietersen from the bench if they are needed. In what is going be a game South Africa will be expected to win.

However under Joe Schmidt, Ireland are a different outfit and not for a late Crotty try and a Cruden conversion last November they would have claimed a massive win against the All Blacks. Ireland will go into this game as massive underdogs but if they play as good as they did against New Zealand last November. South Africa will be in for a difficult game.