Ireland take on the Springboks twice in July.
SPORT MOVES QUICKLY so as Ireland head coach Andy Farrell sat down to reflect on Ireland’s Six Nations success on Saturday, thoughts already began to turn to the massive challenges that await this year.
Ireland last toured South Africa in 2016, recording a first win over the Springboks on South African soil in the first Test before losing the series 2-1. Since then, Rassie Erasmus has taken the reins and totally transformed South African rugby, leading the Springboks to back-to-back World Cups.“Yeah, it doesn’t get any more difficult, does it, or any more exciting than that,” said Farrell.
This Six Nations also saw Farrell select a 6/2 bench for the first time , and it is highly possible he would have opted for it again against Scotland had Ciarán Frawley been fit to take his place on the bench. It’s surely on the cards to be rolled out again this summer against a South Africa side who have gone better with 7/1 splits over the last 12 months.
With Jacques Nienaber now working at Leinster Erasmus has stepped back into the head coach role and while he has outlined a desire to initiate a gradual changing of the guard – with many of the squad who captured back-to-back World Cup titles the wrong side of 30 – it sounds as though the former Munster boss will initially still lean heavily on the experienced group who delivered success in France.
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus. Steve Haag Sports / Steve Haag/INPHO Steve Haag Sports / Steve Haag/INPHO / Steve Haag/INPHO
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