Boks up against it

The Springboks will need to be ruthless today if they intend on regaining their pride and saving themselves from blushes in the three-Test series against Ireland.

Allister Coetzee’s side is up against the ropes following defeat in the opening match of the incoming series against Ireland at Newlands Stadium last weekend.

A repeat of last weekend’s shock defeat will not only further destroy the Boks’ pride, but will award the Irish a series victory which would be a first for the visiting European side.

“There were also a couple of positives,” Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss said as he attempted to remain optimistic yesterday.

“Our set pieces at stages went well and we created some opportunities, although we could have finished off a few more.

“Our decision-making in some of the instances wasn’t there and the ruthlessness of getting over the line but I believe that will all be there this weekend.”

While avenging last weekend’s defeat will be sweet, what is more important for the Boks is to play to the high standards the side has set for themselves.

Irish coach Joe Schmidt has made numerous changes to his side – five in the starting XV and five on the bench.

While, like last weekend, the Irish will pose a threat all over the park, the Boks will be keeping a close eye on Ireland’s SA-born debutant lock Quinn Roux, who was born in Pretoria, educated at Affies, played for the Stormers and now features for Connacht in the Irish Pro 12 league.

“It’s going to be a big day for him, especially making his debut in SA,” Strauss said about the SA-born Irish lock.

“We know that he will be passionate on the field and that he will bring that physicality.

“This time it is not about vengeance but our own standards. We need to be better. We are a great group of players and we have the ability and potential to be much better than we were last week. We need to live up to that expectation.”

A lot of the self-criticism from both Coetzee and his assistant Mzwandile Stick in the aftermath of last week’s defeat has been around the decision-making on the park.

Strauss also stressed yesterday that decision-making was something that had been addressed at length this week, and it would be the responsibility of halfbacks Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies and fullback Willie le Roux to ensure improvement today.

From the coaches, discipline on the field will be crucial and an area the players will be judged on by Coetzee.

The coach said his charges would pay, financially or by losing their spots in the side, should they fail to maintain good discipline.

“It was unacceptable to concede seven penalties in 22 minutes,” said Coetzee.

“They (players) understand there will be consequences. Conceding penalties and becoming sloppy, not sticking to the systems will definitely hurt the players financially, or it could cost a player’s position in the team as well.”

Kickoff at 5pm.

Springboks: Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen, Lionel Mapoe, Damian de Allende, Lwazi Mvovo, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Siya Kolisi, Francois Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Adriaan Strauss, Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira. Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane, Julian Redelinghuys, Franco Mostert, Warren Whiteley, Rudy Paige, Morne Steyn, Ruan Combrinck.

Ireland: Jared Payne, Andrew Trimble, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart Olding, Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson, Conor Murray, Jamie Heaslip, Rhys Ruddock, Iain Henderson, Quinn Roux, Devin Toner, Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best, Jack McGrath. Replacements: Richardt Strauss, David Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Donnacha Ryan, Sean Reidy, Kieran Marmion, Ian Madigan, Tiernan O’Halloran.