DUBLIN, IRELAND – NOVEMBER 05: Mack Hansen of Ireland is tackled by Eben Etzebeth, left, and Franco Mostert of South Africa during the 2022 Castle Lager Outgoing Tour match between Ireland and South Africa at Aviva Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile/Gallo Images)
Springboks vs Ireland: How the Boks can beat the Irish
This is how the Boks can beat Ireland
DUBLIN, IRELAND – NOVEMBER 05: Mack Hansen of Ireland is tackled by Eben Etzebeth, left, and Franco Mostert of South Africa during the 2022 Castle Lager Outgoing Tour match between Ireland and South Africa at Aviva Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile/Gallo Images)
This Saturday, the Springboks are set to face off against Ireland, marking the first time in rugby history that the top two ranked teams collide in a pool game. This is what the Boks need to do in order to stop Ireland and gain the world number 1 ranking team.
DISCIPLINE WILL WIN GAMES
Every team that has won so far has conceded less penalties than their losing counterparts, the same principle applies this weekend. The team with the best discipline should end up on the right side of the scoreboard. Accumulation of penalties will result in point-scoring opportunities for Ireland and might lead to the Boks being down a man. The Boks also need to avoid any head contact and mistimed aerial battles that could result in a red card.
Tom Curry will miss England's next two World Cup matches after his red card in Saturday's victory over Argentina.
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) September 12, 2023
An independent disciplinary committee imposed a ban of three matches on the flanker. This is reduced to two games if he completes the World Rugby coaching programme… pic.twitter.com/Gq36V2eQhy
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BOKS SHOULD TAKE POINTS ON OFFER
With a team as dangerous as Ireland, the Boks cannot afford to squander scoring opportunities. Ireland is clinical and tends to score points whenever they are on offer. The Boks need to come away with points whenever they enter the Irish half, either in the form of points off the tee, a ‘Plan A’ rolling maul try, or an exciting move with one of their dangerous outside backs
Almost time ⏳
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 21, 2023
Brace yourselves for an epic encounter between the #Springboks and #Ireland on Saturday 🇿🇦🇮🇪#StrongerTogether #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/0feX6loSMF
SHUT DOWN RUNS OFF SHOULDERS
The Irish attack runs off quick ball, and support lines running off shoulders. The Boks rush defence will force the Irish to play in the middle of the field. Boks need to be clinical and physical in their rush and run interference lines like they did against the All Blacks, as Ireland are a great offloading team.
ALSO READ | RUGBY WORLD RANKINGS: WHAT THE SPRINGBOKS AGAINST IRELAND NEED TO DO TO RETURN TO NUMBER 1
IRELAND RUCK SPEED
Ireland is renowned for their rapid ruck and impeccable ball retention. They place great emphasis on swift ball presentation and ensuring players know their roles in the rucks, resulting in an impressive average ruck speed of 2.78 seconds. The Boks excel at forcing turnovers, thanks to jackal specialists like Kitshoff, Wiese, De Allende, and a host of bench players. If the Boks can snatch crucial possession or, at the very least, impede Ireland’s ruck speed, they can disrupt the Irish attack and allow their defence to reset.
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BOKS 7-1 SPLIT
The Boks have followed their usual playbook by revealing their lineup early and adopting a 7-1 forward split, like when they walloped the All Blacks 35-7 in Twickenham. This tactical move allows the Boks to introduce an entirely fresh forward pack during the game, with the exception of PSDT (who I’m not sure isn’t part robot). This approach ensures both Bok packs can enter collisions with maximum intensity, knowing they won’t have to endure the full 80. However, the caveat is that the Boks must steer clear of injuries or cards; an early injury could cause a headache for the Boks’ coaching staff. Smith and Reinach, while amazingly versatile players aren’t specialist outside backs, and against the best team in the world, they might be found wanting.
The #Springboks team to face Ireland in Paris on Saturday – more here: https://t.co/hXGBgEFsJA 🤝#StrongerTogether #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/owoyetimBa
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 19, 2023
This clash isn’t a do-or-die scenario for either team, yet the stakes are undeniably high. The victor will lay claim to a psychological edge, the coveted top world ranking, and the advantage of avoiding France in the quarter-finals. The question remains: Can the Springboks emerge victorious, or will the Irish continue their reign atop the rugby world? Share your thoughts in the comments below as we brace ourselves for this epic showdown.
