The Boks should win but we can expect Ireland to put up a real fight

WELL done, SuperSport. The idea to celebrate the life of Muhammad Ali by popping up a dedicated channel was inspirational.

Everyone knows about the braggadocio of the man. Everyone knows about the pain of watching his illness take over. Many people do not remember the fighter.

Even those of my age who think we remember have been affected by time. Do yourself a favour and watch before it pops back down tomorrow. Forget the Rumble, watch the Thrilla to see what heavyweight boxing was like in that golden era.

In a way the magnificence and violence of that fight is the best ad for the banning of the sport. Boxing is insane but I love it. Muhammad Ali RIP.

And so to the rugby today. The most interesting thing for me is how vastly changed selections, by either side, still produce teams that look well balanced.

The Boks have decided to include a bit of Lions’ pride, and I hope that includes the way they play. Faf has been terrific this year and, more and more, he reminds me of Colin Patterson, the great Irish No 9 who ended his career in Kimberley in 1980 with a dreadful knee injury playing for the B&I Lions. He was small and stocky but quick and strong and oh-so confident.

Faf has the same way about him and his speed of clearing and, indeed, decision-making, can make him a world rugby star. I hope he starts off well. Lionel Mapoe and Damian de Allende? What a potential in midfield.

The key for the Boks is pace. This is the great advantage that the south’s game has over the north, and wave upon wave of attacks by forwards and backs is what tourists dread in this neck of the woods. It is so much harder to defend against a team that does everything at high speed. It starts up front on the field but it really starts as a state of mind. Win the set piece and speed it all up. That’s what South Africa needs and fans want to see.

It was a different world back in 1981. For our sins we decided to tour, but the controversy, the principle and government employees not getting leave meant that many top Irish players did not come.

On paper Ireland had no chance against the Boks and most of the talk was about the margin of victory. With Moss Keane absent, Ireland fielded, perhaps, the smallest pair of locks in decades. Gerry Holland and Brendan Foley rose to the challenge and the Irish pack stood up well.

The first Test in Cape Town was a real cracker, with the Boks winning 23-15. It could have been closer but for a tactical error by the Irish, which saw them try and push the Bok backs inside to minimise the danger of Gysie Pienaar out wide. The result was that it forced the Boks to run straight, not drift, and Danie Gerber and Errol Tobias were magnificent.

For Ireland, Johnny Murphy, who turned down Arsenal to play amateur rugby, had a wonderful debut. Indeed, coach Tom Kiernan said it was the best Irish fullback display he had ever seen. The great Ollie Campbell broke his wrist, so for the second Test, Mick Quinn, who hadn’t played in four years for Ireland, was flown out. A glorious defeat but a wonderful Test at Newlands. And so on to Durban.

Given even less chance than in the first and second, Ireland should have won the third Test. They scrapped and mauled and annoyed for 80 minutes and scored the only try of the game. It took Naas Botha and three dropped goals to sneak a 12-10 win for the home side. Ireland nearly pulled off a major upset. It was a different world and a different game then. Or was it?

Ireland today play under no pressure, just like in ’81. Nobody really gives them a chance, just like then. However, they are well prepared and coached and have a number of players who will revel against the odds today.

Watch out for centre Rob Henshaw. Payne, normally centre, at fullback is a risk but he can run back from kicks. Rory Best, the skipper, like Slats in ’81, and Joe Schmidt, the coach, like Kiernan, are rugby smart. They will have done their homework and given the side a plan that will bring belief. With belief, and if the Boks get ragged, anything can happen.

The Boks should win but, as in 1981, it could be closer than many expect.