Once again, I have the same feeling in my stomach, a similar one to what I felt after the Springboks lost to the Wallabies in Perth this year.
I warned almost every Springbok supporter I spoke to before the game. I told them that Joe Schmidt’s Ireland shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Obviously the Boks didn’t get the memo, as they repeatedly kicked for touch instead of keeping the scoreboard ticking over in the opening half.
I wonder if their arrogance has been shattered after this game? Congratulations, you beat the All Blacks. Unfortunately, you were just thrashed by Ireland. Perhaps Patrick Lambie should’ve missed the winning kick in Johannesburg. Maybe that would’ve helped?
Despite the Springboks’ dominance in the scrums, possession and territory stats, the Irish disrupted their rhythm at almost every breakdown. Guys like Duane Vermeulen and Bismarck du Plessis made nowhere near the impact they made in the Rugby Championship. They were just denyed the opportunity as they met their equals in the Ireland forwards.
I was surprised that Jonathan Sexton was awarded man of the match. There were at least six Ireland forwards who were more deserving of that accolade.
The question still remains: when will we start taking these guys seriously? In the last decade, it’s been four-all between these two teams, bloody shocking considering the gap in rankings during that time.
The inaccuracy was constant throughout for the Boks but it was certainly a result of resolute defence by the Irish. The Boks, showing the body language of supremecy throughout the first half, immediately lost it in the second half. The belief, rightly so, had been lost. They were in trouble.
The accumulation of pressure eventually resulted in another 23 points for Ireland as they smashed the Boks out of the park.
Unfortunately the time difference is not a factor, South Africa are from the same time zone as Ireland. Unfortunately, home ground advantage is not a factor, England lost to New Zealand moments before kick-off.
England are South Africa’s next opponents. A daunting prospect considering their embarrassing display this weekend.
I just pray I don’t get the corporate tickets I requested. Watching us get smashed in the cold rain would not only ruin my weekend, but be a dark cloud I would have to live with for the rest of my life. The kind of dark cloud that has followed me since the November tours of 2002.
