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.

well that was one of the dumbest things Ive seen in rugby...just assumes he got his timing right...

You dirty beggar JP. South Africa really wound up! Ref is completely right to produce a yellow card.

Lineout is pish

let's hope Ireland can turn that binning to their advantage and get some points. Just to pish them off even more.

JP is really not a dirty player, benefit of the doubt. Deserved card though.

South Africa are there to be put away, Ireland have to take advantage.

I think the Saffers are just getting frustrated now and JP probably uncharacteristically tried something daft. Anyway, he's received the relevant punishment so...

Come on Ireland!

Man up and we opt to kick possession away. Really?

Money on POM starting a few more scraps before the final whistle?

Poor kick from Lambie...

Ireland still dont look like making a good break, even with a man advantage.

Bad pass from Earls but a penalty

Can I shout at earls now billy?

Earls demonstrating once again why he isn't suited to 13.

Earls! Tommy's fast, but not that fast! Anyway, penalty Ireland.

WillyGilly wrote:Can I shout at earls now billy?

No you blydi well cant

Murray

SA could well prove to be a banana skin yet...

Good to see Ireland getting a good start. Will SA come back. Momentum swinging away from them so Sexton needs to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

If this continues, I'm going to be very nervous for tomorrow's game. Upsetmania. The underdog may be small but he's a feisty little beggar.

Missed

Get the drop out, get inot pos and DG

Just an inch wide by Sexton there.

Awh poor Sexytoes, that just missed. I wish they'd have a little clock so you can see how long the sin binner's got left.

this SA team are rubbish so far, slow and predictable and so many penalties. Ireland just need to play in the SA half and wait for the pens.

No points with the man advantage

Pienaar lining up to take a huge penalty.

It's OK, it falls short.

HT 12-3.

Ireland firmly in control at HT, they've barely given South Africa a sniff. Ireland have been brilliant at the breakdown so far.

Chilli is a rather good pundit. At least he's nice to look at...who cares what he's saying?

This one is going to be a game of two halves. Ireland failed to take advantage of territory, possession, parity at scrum, and an extra man. They should be a try up.

Bit of an over-reaction on here re JP. He was early, but only just and he did wrap his arms (despite what the eejit on the TV kept saying).

SA have been utter poo mind.

That was really boring. Very poor game so far..

very boring!!!

you having a laff leinster dude..

you beating em up!!

well played

Really should have put a few more points on SA here but i am happy

LeinsterFan4life wrote:That was really boring. Very poor game so far..

No, that was the Welsh match earlier...

mystiroakey wrote:very boring!!!

you having a laff leinster dude..

you beating em up!!

well played

So because we are winning doesnt make it a boring game?

LondonTiger wrote:Bit of an over-reaction on here re JP. He was early, but only just and he did wrap his arms (despite what the eejit on the TV kept saying).

SA have been utter poo mind.

SA definitely poo. Look like they can't be bothered. The yellow was harsh, there was a split second between that being a great tackle and a fraction early. Tough call for the yellow, but can't doubt the score line. SA need to come out as a different team to pull it back. I'm starting to wonder about the SA coaching.

It would be nice if Barnes let the game develop instead of penalising every single ruck though...

LondonTiger wrote:Bit of an over-reaction on here re JP. He was early, but only just and he did wrap his arms (despite what the eejit on the TV kept saying).

SA have been utter poo mind.

It was early and dangerous, Henry was defenseless as he had his eyes on the ball (like Pietersen should have).

Who do Ireland think they are 'NZ'?

Whats with the Black?

SA arent the best at coming from behind so the pressures on with no Habana there to get his custmary against the run of play try.

Will they revert to type second half? keep it in the forwards with one ups?

lambies going to have to mature into a leader very quickly to give SA a chance.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:very boring!!!

you having a laff leinster dude..

you beating em up!!

well played

So because we are winning doesnt make it a boring game?

Your country is winning. Your sense of pride should overrule any other feeling.

well if I was irish(considering recent form) id be happy with the lead v a top team!! forget the quality of the game- all about the win.. well thats my view

Of course im happy we are winning.

well then grumps sing when your winning!!!!!

anotherworldofpain wrote:
SA definitely poo. Look like they can't be bothered. The yellow was harsh, there was a split second between that being a great tackle and a fraction early. Tough call for the yellow, but can't doubt the score line. SA need to come out as a different team to pull it back. I'm starting to wonder about the SA coaching.

It would be nice if Barnes let the game develop instead of penalising every single ruck though...

Not sure about that. As i said earlier, JP is not a dirty player but it was a defo yellow. Rush of blood coupled with bad timing is all.

Good to see the Beeb has a balanced view on the game with their choice of half time pundits!

Mccarthy is proving he should be in the team. Hes playing well so far.

eirebilly wrote:

anotherworldofpain wrote:
SA definitely poo. Look like they can't be bothered. The yellow was harsh, there was a split second between that being a great tackle and a fraction early. Tough call for the yellow, but can't doubt the score line. SA need to come out as a different team to pull it back. I'm starting to wonder about the SA coaching.

It would be nice if Barnes let the game develop instead of penalising every single ruck though...

Not sure about that. As i said earlier, JP is not a dirty player but it was a defo yellow. Rush of blood coupled with bad timing is all.

Well I disagree, this kind of tackle from the kick off has been a SA tactic for a while. There was nothing wrong with the tackle no matter how much Keith Wood tries to tell us otherwise. The ball actually bounced off the guy whilst he was being hit, so it was very close. No yellow there in my mind. Just an early tackle possibly a penalty. On another day they would've got away with it. Definitely a yellow drawn from the crowd.

I expect a different Saffer attitude this second half. Hopefully, Ireland can still win this though.

Disapointed Ireland aren't further ahead. SA have been pretty poor so this is absolutely must win for Ireland. SA dicipline has been dreadful and quite dirty at times. Feel sorry for Lambie. He is a good player but game plan doesn't suit him. Zebo has been good but untested in D. Second row for Ireland average. Murray shouldn't be playing.

Go get'em Ireland

anotherworldofpain wrote:
Well I disagree, this kind of tackle from the kick off has been a SA tactic for a while. There was nothing wrong with the tackle no matter how much Keith Wood tries to tell us otherwise. The ball actually bounced off the guy whilst he was being hit, so it was very close. No yellow there in my mind. Just an early tackle possibly a penalty. On another day they would've got away with it. Definitely a yellow drawn from the crowd.

this is really hard for me to say, but AWOP i actually agree 100% with your comments.

anotherworldofpain wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

anotherworldofpain wrote:
SA definitely poo. Look like they can't be bothered. The yellow was harsh, there was a split second between that being a great tackle and a fraction early. Tough call for the yellow, but can't doubt the score line. SA need to come out as a different team to pull it back. I'm starting to wonder about the SA coaching.

It would be nice if Barnes let the game develop instead of penalising every single ruck though...

Not sure about that. As i said earlier, JP is not a dirty player but it was a defo yellow. Rush of blood coupled with bad timing is all.

Well I disagree, this kind of tackle from the kick off has been a SA tactic for a while. There was nothing wrong with the tackle no matter how much Keith Wood tries to tell us otherwise. The ball actually bounced off the guy whilst he was being hit, so it was very close. No yellow there in my mind. Just an early tackle possibly a penalty. On another day they would've got away with it. Definitely a yellow drawn from the crowd.

Ok, we will disagree on that. I thought that it was worth a yellow but i dont buy the 'No attempt to wrap his arms' comments. It was simply bad timing.

Uh-oh...injury to Cian Healy. Possible concussion I can hear Barnes saying. He's coming off.