Andy Farrell’s men have had a far quieter build-up than the South Africans.
Murray Kinsella Reports from Pretoria LEAVING THE SPRINGBOKS team hotel in Pretoria yesterday evening, you certainly got a sense of this weekend being a homecoming for Rassie Erasmus’ side.
The All Blacks have made a habit of winning at Loftus but other teams have struggled in this South African fortress. With the local Afrikaaners and visiting South Africans getting the party started as early as 9am in some cases, there should be a chaotic, brandy-and-coke-fuelled atmosphere come kick-off time.
“I’d go as far as saying it’s a religion for these people over here,” said Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony. “The lift their team has given them over the last two World Cups and going back further a long time before that… I know it means a hell of a lot.Loftus Versfeld will be rocking this evening. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
It’s a relief that match day is finally here. The build-up was made fun by the Boks but as Kolisi said yesterday, it’s time to do the talking on the pitch. “There probably will be surprises that I can’t give away now,” said Boks assistant coach Mzwandile Stick. “On the other side, we are Springboks. There are certain things that are part of our DNA that we can’t go away from.
Crowley is partnered in the halfbacks today by fellow Munster man Craig Casey, who gets a big opportunity to start a top-level Test for the first time. Farrell needs his scrum-half to make calm decisions while bringing his slick passing and high tempo to the mix.
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