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.

Pretty sure I just saw a cheap shoulder, Barnes has no control

Feck, a yellow card.

Was deserved though

Yellow!

Oh terrific

Heaslip in the bin, SA have made a bright start. Worrying for Ireland already.

Heaslip of all people! Pietersen back on now too, so SA back up to 15 and they have a penalty against Ireland. Possible try here....TMO...

Held up?

Barnes has asked if there's any reason why he can't award the try, so I think he will.

Thats a try

Try

Yep and there it is.

12-10 after conversion. Healy back on.

Defense is still muck

So SA don't concede when they go down, we manage 7 in 2 minutes.

Think it's a try, so does the ref. Looking at the replay, it's a deffo try. 12-10.

This is where Ireland lose the match

It's early days Billy...

Get murray off the pitch

Trimble

ooh Saffer fullback getting a bit gnarly there...jeez, it's not Trimby's fault the cameraman got in the way.

Well, I think it's safe to say Trimby will never make fullback

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Get murray off the pitch

Jaysus, could you be any more Anti Munster?

Get POM off too!

eirebilly wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Get murray off the pitch

Jaysus, could you be any more Anti Munster?

Ok maybe that was a bit of an over reaction.

Cari wrote:It's early days Billy...

Ireland man advantage 0 points. SA man advantage 10 points. Its not early days Cari

12-13 now, Ireland need a big response.

I was trying to be positive Billy...well, the captain's back for what it's worth....

Not too bad Phillip?????

We've conceeded 10 points Phil and lost the lead!

Patience Ireland....composure...come on...it's coming...

Awh Tommy!

I dont see what Tommy did wrong there?

SA tackler there clearly hadn't released? Surely Wayne?

Clueless in attack, weak in defence.

Things look bleak to say the least.

eirebilly wrote:I dont see what Tommy did wrong there?

He was sealing the ball off or something I heard someone say.

WOAH!!! Dodgy tackle on Tommy!

Thats a harsh call, didnt think that was late on Tommy...

shocking call

Never a late tackle on Bowe. Poor decision.

Ferg on for Trimby.

Cari wrote:

eirebilly wrote:I dont see what Tommy did wrong there?

He was sealing the ball off or something I heard someone say.

Ok, didnt look like that

Cari wrote:WOAH!!! Dodgy tackle on Tommy!

Oh fantastic, McFadden. Here comes the game changer

We're in no position to turn those down billy!

Actually we're in no position at all.

Poor Earlsy...he got thrown around a bit there!

WillyGilly wrote:We're in no position to turn those down billy!

Actually we're in no position at all.

I know but still think that it wasnt late...

Ireland need a big final 20 minutes, this game is there to be won.

JmD wrote:Oh fantastic, McFadden. Here comes the game changer

Trimble wasnt exactly playing well.

Maybe it was an Irish supporter mistaken for a touch judge...

Come on Sexytoes...awh schitt. Just dips in front of the post.

12-13 after 61 minutes.

Reddan on for Murray...

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

JmD wrote:Oh fantastic, McFadden. Here comes the game changer

Trimble wasnt exactly playing well.

Difficult to play well when the ball seldom comes you way...

That would have been some kick.

Bum. All that work and it's a Saffer turnover.

Anyone want to start a rendition of Fields of Athenry...it's a bit quiet out there...

DOC coming on for Donnacha Ryan.