South Africa coach Peter de Villiers insisted his side could mount a successful defence of the World Cup with a game-plan based on their traditional strengths after the Springboks beat Ireland 23-21.
Conditions at a rain-lashed Lansdowne Road here on Saturday played into South African hands and the tourists’ forward power and lineout dominance, backed up by a solid kicking game, took them into a 23-9 line midway through the second half following tries by flanker Juan Smith and full-back Gio Aplon.
But the introduction of Ronan O’Gara off the bench for the fly-half’s 100th Test cap sparked an Irish revival and led to late tries from wing Tommy Bowe and full-back Rob Kearney.
O’Gara could have tied the match at 23-23 had, with barely five minutes left, his conversion of Kearney’s try from out on the touchline gone over instead of hitting the post.
But, however it was achieved, this was a much-needed victory for the Springboks, coming as it did after a Tri-Nations where they lost five of their six matches.
During that tournament there was a perception that, under the new law interpretations, modern rugby was passing the Springboks by, with both champions New Zealand and Australia opting for a fast-paced handling game.
But De Villiers, whose position has come under threat ahead of next year’s World Cup in New Zealand, said there was still merit in the Springboks’ essential style.
“That’s the way we play. For us to stick to our plan was heartwarming.
“The game will always move. We try to be realistic but then give the captain the freedom on the field to make the decision on the day.
‘You need to perform’
He added: “Every win is important to us. At the end there we saw some ghosts from the Tri-Nations.”
South Africa captain Victor Matfield, leading the side in the absence of the injured John Smit, was delighted with his new-look side.
“We always had belief in ourselves. I think it’s really a team with a lot of talent. Every time you put that jersey on, it’s a Springbok team. It doesn’t matter if people write you down or up. You need to perform.”
As for South Africa’s tactics, Matfield added: “You couldn’t keep the ball in hand, even if that was your plan, because the weather didn’t allow that.”
Matfield and fellow second row Bakkies Botha, returning from suspension, dominated the lineout.
South Africa may have had to leave 13 injured players at home but Matfield said the absence of unfit home lock Paul O’Connell had been crucial in ending a run of three straight defeats by Ireland.
“We all know the class Paul O’Connell’s got. It definitely made it much easier for myself. He’s a star player.
“It’s a proud Irish team, they showed it the way they came back. But our guys showed their character and that character came through at the end.”
Ireland’s fourth straight Test loss was not the way they would have wanted to mark their return to the rebuilt Lansdowne Road, transformed from a decaying hulk into a monument to modern architecture.
But some things don’t change and Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll conceded his team had erred in not adjusting to the downpour.
“We tried to play a bit and to try things out,” the centre explained.
“Maybe that wasn’t the smartest thing to do in those conditions but we’re trying to build our game-plan and have a go.”
Victory for South Africa, bidding for a first grand slam against the four “Home Nations” since 1960, completed a trio of triumphs for the Tri-Nations on Saturday after New Zealand defeated England 26-16 and Australia beat Wales 25-16.
However, Matfield dismissed talk of a southern hemisphere ‘edge’ ahead of South Africa’s clash against Wales in Cardiff next weekend.
“There are some quality sides in the north that are playing great rugby.
“It’s still going to be a tough few weeks for all three Tri-Nations sides. It’s never easy up here at the end of the year.” – AFP