Ireland vs South Africa pre-match talk and squad announcements.

First topic message reminder :

The much anticipated Autumn Iinternationals has arrived and South Africa will begin their three test tour against Ireland on Saturday at Landsdowne road. With a record of only one win in their last four test matches and 3 straight losses between 2004 and 2009, the Springboks would like to continue their resurgence against Ireland and emulate their two point victory of 2010.

But will they be up for an Ireland team who have been just about as disappointing as the Springboks were in 2012.

Ireland who boast wins over Scotland and Italy and a Hard earned draw over France at Stade de France earlier in the year has a disappointing return of 5 losses, 2 wins and 1 draw for the year.

South Africa has not fared much better, with 4 wins, 3 losses and 2 draws for the year.

Both teams will rue lost opportunities during the year where execution and specifically goal kicking have haunted the Springboks in Particular. Their goal kickin records stands at a miserly 55% for the year and will lose you more tests than win.

Ireland will be without their inspirational captain Brian O'Driscoll and South Africa after a long season will bewithout the services of Arguably the best Hooker in world rugby Bismarck du Plessis, the athletic Andries Bekker, talisman Schalk Burger, Pierre Spies, Heinrich Brussow, Johan Goosen, Bryan Habana (yeah I know I am complaining a bit much here), Frans Steyn and Coenie Oosthuizen.

Will this end of season tour be a bridge too far for an injury riddled South African squad or will they be able to overcome an Irish team who hasn't convinced this year.

Likely SA matchday 22.

1. Beast Mtwarira
2. Adriaan Strauss
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Juandre Kruger (Marco Wentzel)
6. Francois Louw
7. Willem Alberts
8. Duane Vermeulen
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Patrick Lambie
11. Francois Hougaard
12. Jean de Villiers
13. Jaco Taute
14. JP Pietersen
15. Zane Kirchner

Bench
16. Gurthro Steenkamp
17. Schalk Brits
18. Pat Cilliers
19. Flip v d Merwe
20. Marcelle Coetzee
21. Franco v d Merwe
22. Jan Vermaak
23. Morne Steyn

I'll update if someone provides me a likely Irish matchday 22.

Feican awe inspiring words from Deccie again

eirebilly wrote:Feican awe inspiring words from Deccie again

I wanted to hear from George on RTE so I missed it. Did he start off 'Awk, well yeknow...we'll do what we do, control what we can control and the result will take care itself'? It makes Obama sound like a sack of vomit.

Right off to the pub with a bunch of the biggest one-eyed Leinster supporters going. Should be some fun discussions over Zebo, Earls and Murray. Good luck

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Feican awe inspiring words from Deccie again

I wanted to hear from George on RTE so I missed it. Did he start off 'Awk, well yeknow...we'll do what we do, control what we can control and the result will take care itself'? It makes Obama sound like a sack of vomit.

At least he has gone beyond, Sure de soide is still on a lorning corve

BOD the midget on screen

BOD, the boys will be happy when they get the green jersy on? Not today then Brian?

Hugely unhappy with the team selection and coach. But for the next 80 minutes setting that to one side. (though I will be refering to it later I suspect)

Come on you irish! (and our Saffer)

Did I see Strauss singing along with the Irish national anthem?

eirebilly wrote:BOD, the boys will be happy when they get the green jersy on? Not today then Brian?

Good luck both sides.

Strauss sang the anthem. Thats good enough for me..

He Frak sang! Legend!

Finally the game is going to start.

Very close there from Bowe

Good first take from Zebo. See I'm being magnanimous already.

Standard from Earls there. Why give it out when you could kick it to your opponent and lose possession.

The black shirts are a bit of a disaster - way to close to the dark green of the Boks!

WillyGilly wrote:Standard from Earls there. Why give it out when you could kick it to your opponent and lose possession.

You're very early with the Earls bashing Willser

Nice of Ireland to give a minute silence to SA commonwealth soldiers.....happy to take EU bail outs mind. Come on bokke!!!

3-0, good start for Ireland.

eirebilly wrote:

WillyGilly wrote:Standard from Earls there. Why give it out when you could kick it to your opponent and lose possession.

You're very early with the Earls bashing Willser

You're right billy I'm trying to be optimistic. I'll hold back.

South Africa are living offside and getting pinged for it. Another goal attempt.

Lansdowne pitch coming apart for the second time.

6-0

Great kick by Sexton that.

Sexton down

Please no ROG.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Please no ROG.

Why not? Ireland have beaten SA 3 out of the last 4 meetings with him at 10...

Promising start from Zebo, has looked very composed so far but he hasn't had any real tests under the high ball yet.

Ireland's attack is looking very decent at the moment, as is Sexton's kicking. 9-3 Ireland after 21 minutes.

Great stuff from Earls there to win the penalty

eirebilly wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Please no ROG.

Why not? Ireland have beaten SA 3 out of the last 4 meetings with him at 10...

Eh, they have?

Ireland 15-10 SA

Evening lads

Enjoying this game so far. Better than the Welsh match earlier and Tommy = as per.

MON IRELAND!!!

Ireland targetting the breakdowns well. good match this ones gonna be...

Great work by Sexton there to help Bowe out

SA tackler didn't release there.

I hope it is Taylorman as the earlier one wasn't much cop.

Another penalty to Ireland...some lovely offloads here.

Sexton is really struggling here.

oooh handbags!

Hope Sexytoes is OK. He's receiving treatment. I wonder if he'll have to come off soon?

Ireland looking good so far, they've got South Africa wound up. Should be 12-3 after half an hour.

Boks possibly targeting Sexton for heavy tackles to put him out of the game so they can get The Turnstile onto the pitch.

How many penalties conceded by Boks so far?

No no no commentator. Tommy is NOT a fullback!

Yay! Good kick from Sexytoes. 12-3 after 31 minutes.

Woah! Big fight now after an illegal tackle on no.7 I think.

That was nasty, card time?

Cheap shots all round by SA so far, can't be allowed to continue

Yep. Pietersen has to go to the bin.

Pieterson has to go there.

Ha, he was walking off anyway! Now it's official. Come on Ireland, don't get mad. Get even. They're a man down.

Pietersen knew what he was doing. Early and with the shoulder.

This game is going to get fiery.

Defo yellow, not a nasty player is JP but that was bad.