The heat wave in France has given way to the traditional autumn showers and the Springboks will face off against Ireland tonight at a much cooler Stade de France.
Still, the South Africans were persuaded to give their best in sunshine, wind and even rain in a World Cup tournament.
According to Mzwandile Stick, the Boks’ rock-hard preparation work prepared them to try to tame any challenge on the rugby field; even something as fickle as the weather.
“It was very hot when we were in Toulon and we are now enjoying the cooler conditions in Paris. But even when we were preparing for the tournament in Corsica, we practiced with wet rugby balls in an attempt to simulate rainy weather,” said the assistant coach.
He added that the Cape also gave the Goats an adaptation boost.
“One must also remember that sometimes in cities like Cape Town and Gqeberha you see four seasons in one day. The guys are used to the conditions. They are prepared.”
The crucial Group B match kicks off tonight at 9pm and the action will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Springboks: Damian Willemse (full back), Kurt-Lee Arendse (right wing), Jesse Kriel (outside centre), Damian de Allende (inside centre), Cheslin Kolbe (left wing), Manie Libbok (fly-half), Faf de Klerk (scrum-half), Jasper Wiese (eighth ), Pieter-Steph du Toit (flank), Siya Kolisi (captain and flank), Franco Mostert (lock), Eben Etzebeth (lock), Frans Malherbe (prop), Bongi Mbonambi (prop) and Steven Kitshoff (prop). Substitutes: Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith and Cobus Reinach.
Ireland: Hugo Keenan (full back), Mack Hansen (right wing), Garry Ringrose (outside centre), Bundee Aki (inside centre), James Lowe (left wing), Johnny Sexton (fly-half), Jamison Gibson-Park (scrum-half), Caelan Doris (eighth man), Josh van der Flier (flank), Peter O’Mahony (flank), James Ryan (lock), Tadhg Beirne (lock), Tadhg Furlong (prop), Ronan Kelleher (hooker) and Andrew Porter (prop). Subs: Dan Sheehan, David Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Ryan Baird, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley and Robbie Henshaw.
