Preview: Ireland vs Springboks

Preview: Ireland vs Springboks

9 Nov 2012

RYAN VREDE analyses the key match-ups and picks a winner of the year-end tour Test in Dublin.

The optimism among Ireland supporters appeared to be high when I first arrived in Dublin last Saturday, but I’ve since sensed a steady shift to something bordering pessimism, in light of injuries to key and experienced players. They still hope for an Ireland victory, of course, but there is none of the strong belief that had accompanied their ambition in recent meetings at Lansdowne Road.

Ireland have won three of the last four Tests in the city. Experienced and respected men among their media contingent predict that dominance will end, despite acknowledging the Springboks’ own struggles with injuries and their poor form in 2012. I think they’re right, although any Springbok victory will not be accompanied by glowing praise of the beauty of their performance.

The forecast is for cold but clear conditions at kick-off, which will assist the attacking play of both sides, not that either team is likely to thrill in their own territory. The Boks won’t veer from the kick-chase method when in their half, and they will look to put Ireland’s receivers under pressure with committed chasers. The hosts have consistently pointed to the importance of putting their primary punters – Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie and Zane Kirchner – under pressure. I don’t foresee them achieving this, with the Springboks’ pack likely to be dominant and in so doing buying the aforementioned players time to set themselves and pick their spots (they’ll target fullback Simon Zebo), whether that be up-and-unders or kicks into space.

Pat Lambie’s tactical game showed improvements in the Currie Cup, but the pressure of Test matches is incomparable and he’ll be under close scrutiny in this regard. Lambie will also be thrust further into the spotlight if the Springboks succeed in pressuring Ireland into penalties in kickable positions. He has kicked superbly of late and needs to replicate that form on the international stage. Certainly if Ireland find their attacking groove they are capable of punishing the Springboks for infringements, with Jonathan Sexton and Ronan O’Gara among the most accurate Test goal-kickers in 2012.

If Lambie wobbles with the boot the Springboks have problems. Statistically no team in the world has spent more time in the opposition’s 22m than they have this year, yet the return in terms of tries scored has been desperately poor. They have consistently conceded penalties or made handling errors when on attack in this zone. There needs to be a dramatic reduction in both counts. The Springboks simply have to be more clinical.

The Bok pack has fronted well in set and general play, even against the All Blacks, who are widely regarded to be the strongest eight in the game. They’ll be too good for the Irish, who’ll miss Paul O’Connell’s physicality and leadership and Sean O’Brein’s industry and potency at the breakdown. If Francois Louw can impose himself at breakdown time (off the back of a good gainline contest) it will further compound Ireland’s attacking struggles. I think he will, with Declan Kidney’s team not possessing enough high calibre strike runners to boss the tackle and render Louw a non-factor.

Expect parity at scrum time, while the tourists will boss the lineouts, where their rolling maul will be a massive weapon.

Overall, Ireland will be a fierce competitor but not one with the quality to take advantage of a significantly weakened Springbok side.

VREDE’S CALL: Springboks by 10


1,019 Comments

Pages: « 1 2 3 4 [5] 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 21 » Show All

  • 201.Esoteric: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 10:56 am

    Greetings from NZ chaps, how’s Friday morning treating you all?

  • 202.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 10:57 am

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-199:
    now you’re freakin me out…………..

  • 203.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 10:58 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-200: Abigails was above where the Pig used to be. I think the place further down was Smileys, but it was a long time ago.

    I remember the Swarma place, and the “Spud Stop” downstairs below Abigails.

    Nothing like a 3am chow after a good one.

  • 204.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 10:58 am

    Topless carwash on Camps Bay strip

    Jirre.

    Slow day today

  • 205.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 10:58 am

    @Te Rangatira-202: I was going to say the same when I read Bakkies post :)

    The ‘proverb’-ial: WTF is he on about ;)

  • 206.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:00 am

    @Te Rangatira-202:

    Me too

    What’s he on about?

  • 207.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:00 am

    @stormersboy-203: Not Rita’s : ABIGAILS :) Ah hah. Suddenly I see it, and I’m a helluva lot younger in the picture ;)

    The name of that other joint is going to bug me, I’m down to making a phone calls already.

  • 208.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:00 am

    @Esoteric-201:

    Are you a real Kiwi

  • 209.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:01 am

    @stormersboy-203:
    Swarma place was Kuzma’s.

  • 210.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:01 am

    @Dawn-206:
    Wouldn’t have a fricken clue…..Butterfly effect?

  • 211.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:04 am

    @Jeraldjay-209: That’s the one.

    :)

  • 212.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:04 am

    Favourite spot in town was the Playground in Loop street. With Deviate upstairs.

  • 213.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:04 am

    @Dawn-206: @Te Rangatira-210: I read it again, slowly. What was I thinking. “One small thing that changes the outcome of a big thing”.Any of you watch the movie, The Butterfly Effect” with Ashton Kutcher some time back?

    Well done Bakkies :) You are schooling us here.

    @Jeraldjay-209: Yes! Another ah hah moment :)

  • 214.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:07 am

    @Jeraldjay-212: Oh Boy oh Boy! Don’t get started on the Playground :) I spent a lot of time puking in a certain parking area in the vicinity of the (now) Christiaan Barnard hospital because of that joint.
    Punkass speaker bashing shy te, and the popper filled smoke.

  • 215.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:07 am

    @Jeraldjay-212: Yes for a while there that was the place.

    Some late nights and mornings spent there.

  • 216.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:10 am

    @Te Rangatira-202:
    yes, i know… sometimes i have these occasional brain spasms and even i dont know where the ‘deep intellect’ comes from, it just takes over :lol:

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-205:
    @Dawn-206:
    the accident could have been avoided if someone somewhere had paid attention earlier on to a seemingly small and insignificant little problem in regard to the scaffolding, advertising banners, the wind and any structural issues but nobody spoke out and only later do people say ‘it was common sense that this was going to cause a problem’.

    the recipe was there to suggest a potentially deadly accident could result from ingnoring the early small bits of information.

    please, this is a lot of work… you people need to up your game.

  • 217.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:11 am

    @stormersboy-215: And then all of you are neglecting the best of the best…. ***rolling eyes***, the place one went to learn the art of underage drinking.
    The Oxford Hotel, Durbanville (then became, Henry J Bean’s) and is now ABSA. :)

  • 218.Rockn Rolla: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:12 am

    Swarma’s are called kebab in the UK
    Although the significant deferential is not only the name change but also

    Swarma =s Delicious Middle Eastern Cuisine in Pita
    Kebab =s Completely un-edible when sober

  • 219.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:13 am

    @Dawn-208:
    Thats an on to it question…….have the same vibe about that dude…..
    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-216:
    You been watching too many Days of our Lives repeats……

  • 220.willievz: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:13 am

    Ryan

    Aikona

    Since when is the All Blacks’ pack the strongest pack in the world?

    What do you mean by strongest?

  • 221.gunther: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:14 am

    @Dawn-204:

    You in peaches?

  • 222.Rockn Rolla: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:14 am

    I wonder if Heaslip’s captancy status will prevent him takin consistant cheap shots @ most our players as per usual.

  • 223.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:14 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-213:
    that’s my girl.. :grin:
    please disregard post #216

  • 224.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:15 am

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-216: Jammer Bakkies.

  • 225.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:15 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-217:
    I heard the Etzebeth Brothers hung out at Henry J Beans.

    So happy I never pumped into them.

  • 226.gunther: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:16 am

    @Jeraldjay-212:

    The one of the playground was a mate of mine.

    Good times.

    :lol:

  • 227.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:16 am

    bumped.

  • 228.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:17 am

    @Jeraldjay-225: The kicked it up bigtime at the HJBeans in Goodwood……
    In fact, many brekers kicked it up bigtime at the HJB in Goodwood.

  • 229.Rockn Rolla: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:17 am

    @Te Rangatira-219:

    Hahahahahahaha…..never heard a Kiwi say the word “Chap” in my life

  • 230.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:19 am

    @Te Rangatira-219:
    no no no no, no no…. uh uh… no, no no no..no, no… aikona… nee…

    i do not watch kak like that… ever…

  • 231.gunther: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:19 am

    @stormersboy-215:

    Can we forget the infamous Blue Rock in Seapoint?

    8 till 7 every night.

    ;)

  • 232.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:20 am

    @Te Rangatira-210: @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-213:

    I slept through “The Butterfly Effect”

  • 233.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:20 am

    So the moral of the today’s story is: we are all old. :(

    (In fact, I went to ‘enjoy’ the Kenridge Primary School concert on Monday evening, and when you bump into school mates who have 2 kids in Std 5, and others already in Fairmont, you know your sh y te has just got real in terms of ageing…..)

  • 234.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:21 am

    @Dawn-232: Didn’t enjoy it? I seem to remember finding it rather cool. Maybe it’s because Kutcher was in it though ;)

  • 235.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:21 am

    @Jeraldjay-225:
    :lol:

    freud much

  • 236.fishdish: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:22 am

    So in Keo’s article about Meyers selection shocker, someone of colour responded how HM couldn’t be racist cos he picks Kirchner instead of ludik, taute or lambie.

    But you see, he only trusts players of colour that he’s familiar with…its the “token” principle.

    I’ve been Token before, chillin @ a braai…looking like a lost peppercorn in a salt-cellar…like a singular freckle on one of their pale, melanin-deprived faces. I’ve been told how I’m ok “cos like you don’t sound or smell or steal like the others, you’re different brew”

    But even if it isn’t like that, there’s no place for favoritism as a national sports coach. Dumba$$ coach with his preoccupied manic ideologies of what a rugby player should look like!

  • 237.Esoteric: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:23 am

    @Dawn-208: I am but a Kiwi with an accent.

  • 238.Esoteric: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:24 am

    @Rockn Rolla-229: This can be your first time then ;)

  • 239.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:24 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-234:

    Kutcher aint my cuppa tea

    Makes me kotcher

  • 240.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:25 am

    @Esoteric-237:

    Are you Black Panther

  • 241.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:26 am

    @willievz-220:
    I think he means strongest…….

  • 242.Esoteric: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:27 am

    @Dawn-240: I’m an albino panther.

  • 243.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:28 am

    @Dawn-239: :) E(a)T makes me kotcher.

  • 244.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:28 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-233: We probably know each other.

  • 245.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:29 am

    @gunther-231: Yes siree bob!

    :D

  • 246.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:31 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-217: Hanks?? Yeah on occasion, but even before that there was The Villa Review on Sunday Nights, and before that the Glockenberg in Voortrekker Road Stickland, and before that there was Rumours in the Boston Hotel

    ;)

  • 247.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:32 am

    @stormersboy-244:

    aaaaw sweet

  • 248.Anomander: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:32 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-200: Ruby in the Dust? The Planet? Armchair Theatre?

  • 249.Rockn Rolla: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:33 am

    Does anybody remember the olc club called springfields at Newlands station
    R2 a beer or shoooter all night 3 x sections Metal, Rave, Comercial

  • 250.CharlesM: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 11:33 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-233: Carel DuP’s youngest son is in Kenridge Primary. I live just down the road – south of the N1

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