Fuck we have to beat Ireland

The Padsters are gonna give the Boks a proper run for their money.

If JGP keeps kicking as accurately as he had been, I predict chaos.

It’s going to be as tight as fuck

Huge game - I’m going to be on fucking edge all through it

I'd make the Bok's something around 60:40 favourites.

From am I'm Irish perspective, I'd be happy enough with a competitive performance and avoiding any blowout towards the end of the match.

It's difficult to gauge where Ireland are at at the moment, but I think a few of our players are past their best and there is going be a year or so of transition. I also think the lack of games together during the summer period when so many players where away with lines has also made us abit rusty. We got blown away in the last quarter by what's a relatively average All Black side, we didn't look convincing at all against Japan and while we stuffed the Australian's was that more to them being a poor time or us being good.

South Africa probably had their one bad game of the Autumn series last weekend. If they play like that again Ireland have every chance but I've no doubt South Africa will be up for this. They seem to have a point to prove.

The matches against France and Italy show South Africa aren't invincible, they do give opponents scoring chances, but you really got to be clinical. Both France and Italy came across as over eager when the opportunities arose. If your not ahead going in the last quarter the Boks can just suffocate teams trying to chase down a lead.

The Irish have to direct play to Moodie’s wing. Many teams this last year have been broken by a bit of Kolbe magic including our huge thumping of the ABs. That game was running in NZ’s favor with a 7 point lead and an overlap for another try…when Kolbe pounced. Evened up the game and changed the momentum.

If you can’t stop the bomb squad scrum and Kolbe you can’t beat the Boks. But Ireland won’t fold like France and Italy, give them a sniff and things could go wrong.

The Irish forwards bench looks a bit thin so I expect to see the starting pack pushing deep into the game

With Steenkamp, Wilco and RG coming on, that is some serious clout. If the Irish starting pack can weather their entry they will take the game to the edge

"The matches against France and Italy show South Africa aren't invincible, they do give opponents scoring chances, but you really got to be clinical. Both France and Italy came across as over eager when the opportunities arose. If your not ahead going in the last quarter the Boks can just suffocate teams trying to chase down a lead."

What those teams don't have, is Ireland's slick backline cohesion. Sure, France have superstars, but they don't have the organisation and understanding that the Irish do with their backs.

Was watching an Irish rugby pod this week and the chaps were discussing how nice it is have SA and Irish teams regularly playing each other in the URC, and they spoke about the bond that is forming. Hopefully some of their brains will rub off on us and some of our brawn will rub off on them.

And it does raise a question. Are Ireland and South Africa forming a new axis?

Was watching an Irish rugby pod this week and the chaps were discussing how nice it is have SA and Irish teams regularly playing each other in the URC, and they spoke about the bond that is forming. Hopefully some of their brains will rub off on us and some of our brawn will rub off on them.

It's not been cohesive at the moment though, way too many handling errors. Irish backs lack pace as well.

Was watching an Irish rugby pod this week and the chaps were discussing how nice it is have SA and Irish teams regularly playing each other in the URC, and they spoke about the bond that is forming. Hopefully some of their brains will rub off on us and some of our brawn will rub off on them.

Yeah it's nice. I wouldn't have a clue who most of the South African players are if wasn't for the exposure the URC brought up north.

I've actually seen two South African teams live up here, Cheetahs and the Stormers.

I honestly miss this moron