Half-back battle is key but Ireland have edge

SOUTH AFRICA have picked a predictably enormous pack but Ireland will have planned accordingly. It is what the Springboks do with the possession those huge forwards generate that holds the key to this result and that comes down to their halfbacks Ross Cronje and Elton Jantjies (pictured). Cronje is a relatively new addition at scrum-half (six caps) and is a fine footballer but one that carries a critical flaw. The 28year-old has a pronounced wind-up before passing whereas his opposite number Conor Murray moves the ball directly and with so many rucks in modern rugby, those extra half-seconds the Springbok No9 takes can compromise their attacking ambitions. Outside him, Jantjies has a touch of flakiness about him, varying between brilliance and calamity whereas Ireland can depend on Johnny Sexton making smart calls outside Murray. However, although Ireland may have the advantage at halfback, that Springbok pack is a daunting unit — with Malcolm Marx and Eben Etzebeth the standouts. This is also a huge Test for tighthead Tadhg Furlong against Tendai Mtawarira — who destroyed the legacy of England’s Phil Vickery on the 2009 Lions tour. The Boks also have a huge lineout, with three jumpers over 6ft 7in, and possession could be Ireland’s biggest issue. Ireland are favourites but it would have been better for Joe Schmidt if South Africa were their last opponents instead of first up, and they could be caught out on the back of it. That will depend on the Springbok half-backs rising to the occasion.