Ireland have named an unchanged starting line-up from the one that clinched the Triple Crown with a win over Scotland back in March for Saturday’s Test against South Africa in Bloemfontein.
Speaking at a press conference in Cape Town on Tuesday, coach Eddie O’Sullivan expressed confidence that Ireland could make history by winning on South African soil for the first time.
”We have proved this year that we can achieve great performances if certain things are executed well. Saturday will be no different,” said O’Sullivan.
”The fact that we have never won in South Africa — Bloemfontein is a very difficult place to win a Test, everybody knows that — that is something worth achieving and we are focused on that. We certainly believe it’s a possibility if we deliver a good performance.
”We know that if we play to our potential, which is always the mantra that we carry as a team, that we probably can play right up there with the top sides. We’re not arrogant enough to think we are better than anybody else, but I think we are as good as anybody else if we play well enough.
”If we play to our potential we are going to give the Springboks a really tough Test.”
O’Sullivan, however, offered South African rugby respect when asked about their ailing status in world rugby.
”Considering South Africa’s history, that is a dangerous road to travel,” he said.
”I would agree that things haven’t exactly gone to plan in the last couple of seasons, particularly with the disappointment of the World Cup, but a wounded Springbok is dangerous and we are very cognisant of that.
”They will want to set South Africa back on what they believe is the way forward. We don’t expect any favours to be done on Saturday. What we get we will have to earn.”
One distinct disadvantage for Ireland will be the fact that they are playing at altitude, but O’Sullivan preferred not to focus on it.
”We shouldn’t dwell on it too much. It’s a frame of mind more than anything. It will be that little bit more difficult, but so be it,” he said.
”I think we are mentally tough enough to deal with it. I’m not overly concerned with the altitude. We haven’t really made a big deal about it. We’re travelling there at the last minute on medical advice.”
With the world-class lock pair of Paul O’Connell and Malcolm O’Kelly in the line-up, O’Sullivan is expecting a fierce battle in the lineouts with Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield.
”South Africa have very athletic locks, who are very mobile and quick in the air. We have a good lineout as well. I think it’s going to be an intriguing battle.” — Sapa
Ireland: Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Gordon D’Arcy, Brian O’Driscoll, Geordan Murphy, Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer, Anthony Foley, David Wallace, Simon Easterby, Paul O’Connell, Malcolm O’Kelly, John Hayes, Shane Byrne, Reggie Corrigan.
Substitutes: Frankie Sheahan, Marcus Horan, Donncha O’Callaghan, Alan Quinlan, Guy Easterby, David Humphreys, Kevin Maggs.