SA vs Ireland First Test 2024 - The World Champions vs The Best Team in the World

Former Former Former · 06-07-2024 2:30pm #1

(yes, the thread title is a joke)

After the weirdest, longest build-up to a summer test that I can ever remember, it's finally game day.

I think SA will have too much for us here, a very strong team and our absentees are pretty pivotal. I think both Leinster and Munster looked very flat finishing the season and I would worry that the game could get away from us in the final quarter.

But there's plenty of interest outside the result - Craig Casey finally gets his shot at the big time and Jamie Osborne does likewise, even if he took a shorter route to get here. It's also a huge day for Crowley, the biggest test so far of his credentials as a real successor to Sexton. Win or lose, we're going to learn a lot.

Just as interesting is the presence of Ringrose on the bench, when he's been a fixture since Farrell took over, leaving Henshaw and Aki to fight over the 12 jersey. Maybe this means we want Henshaw's bigger presence in the 13 channel, expecting a very physical game.

Expect a LOT of kicking of contestables from South Africa, they'll be looking to get Kolbe and Arendse into the air at every opportunity, and the Bulls had a lot of success at kicking behind the back three against Leinster, so le Roux might fancy another go at this today.

Hopefully all the Boks bullsh1t is behind us and we can just get on with the match. Looking forward to it.

Podge_irl · 06-07-2024 2:33pm

I desperately hope the Bok bullshit backfires and Ireland come out firing. Alas, I don't really expect them to be able to maintain it for the full match. But I'm going to go in stupidly optimistic regardless.

KaneToad · 06-07-2024 2:39pm

Hard to see beyond a convincing Boks win. Will be interesting to see how Osborne goes at 15. The drop off from Keenan is to great. Likewise Casey - the distance up to JGP is too far for a top international team.

The Boks "mind games" though has been particularly cringey. Such an embarrassing approach to be taken by such a quality team of rugby players. I guess it must be a cultural thing, or are the SA natives also embarrassed by it?