According to Gordon D’Arcy, the Springboks can play host to a tame Irish rugby team.
The table is set for a rugby spectacle between South Africa and Ireland at Loftus Versfeld and Ireland. There are analysts who believe that the rivalry between the two rugby nations can almost be mentioned in the same breath as the Boks’ arm wrestling sessions with the All Blacks.
But D’Arcy believes the Six Nations may have taken its toll on Ireland.
Although Peter O’Mahony’s team held up the silverware after five games, they hit an unexpected speed bump against England at Twickenham.
D’Arcy believes that one could see in the darts of the tournament that Ireland was no longer firing on all cylinders.
“Useless may be the wrong word to use, but one saw many of the same players in the same matches. If the Six Nations had been one or two rounds longer, they might not have stayed standing,” said the 44-year-old former player.
“I think Ireland could be tired when they tour South Africa. But in the same breath there are also a few new faces in the group and we boast brilliant coaches.”
In Andy Farrell, the Irish indeed have a well-rounded knitter and he won the World Cup duel against Rassie Erasmus and co.
Ireland beat the Boks 13–8 at the Stade de France; yet it was Siya Kolisi who ultimately held up the Webb Ellis trophy.
Farrell admitted earlier that there are few things in world rugby that cause greater excitement than a few tests against the Springboks in South Africa.
“You want to measure yourself against the best and South Africa is 100% the best. It promises to be a tough test – we’ve only been able to win there once – but it can do wonders for the team’s development,” said Ireland’s head coach.
Springbok tests against Ireland
Saturday 6 July: SA vs. Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday 13 July: SA vs. Ireland (Kingspark, Durban).
