Ireland scared of Boks
U-20s advance at World Cup
HAVE the Springboks lost their bite and fear factor with their opposition?
Despite recent results, which have included defeats at the hands of Argentina and Japan, sides they would previously obliterate, facing the South African rugby team is still a daunting prospect.
And Ireland, the most recent side to shock the Boks with a convincing defeat, maintain that the SA side remains one of the most respected and feared in world rugby.
“When I think of South Africa, I think of a massive group of men who can play,” Irish veteran Jamie Heaslip said. “All the players are big men, they can move, they are skilful. They know what they are about, they know how to play the game. It’s pretty intimidating.
“There is so much respect for South African rugby with their club sides and international sides that they are a scary challenge. No matter where you play them, home or away, it’s a daunting task to go up against South Africa. We are all fully aware of that.”
The Irish will have their tails up when they face the Boks in the second of the three Tests between the two sides in the incoming series.
Tomorrow, Ireland will hope to achieve a feat that is rarely achieved by most visiting nations – clinching a series victory on SA soil.
The clash at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park (5pm) could prove to be make for the Irish, break for the Boks; or the SA side could even things out, leaving the final test in Port Elizabeth next week as the decider.
South Africa qualified for the semifinals of rugby’s Under-20 World Championships for the eighth time in nine years after a dramatic fightback against France in their final pool match in Manchester on Wednesday night.
The Junior Boks fought back from 24-18 down at half time to run out 4031 winners in an entertaining match that saw nine tries scored – five to SA and four to France.
Leading up to game day three there was still a great deal of uncertainty because New Zealand‚ Wales and Australia were all in contention for the final semifinal berth along with South Africa and France.
SA duly delivered with their best performance of the tournament and a perfect response after losing 19-13 to Argentina on game day two.
The Junior Boks will now meet top seeds England in the semifinals while Argentina take on Ireland.
The Irish emerged from a tough group with victories over Six Nations champions Wales and the five-time champions‚ New Zealand. It was the first time since the tournament changed into its current under-20 format in 2008 that New Zealand have failed to reach the semifinals. –