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'It's like an argument with your wife': Ex-Boks skipper previews Irish 'war'

Siya Kolisi of South Africa leads players of South Africa off the field through a guard of honour formed by players of Ireland after defeat during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between South Africa and Ireland at Stade de France on September 23, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Former Springboks captain Bobby Skinstad has liked the pre-Test hype for the South Africa versus Ireland series to having “an argument with your wife” before explaining why both teams will believe they can make a statement in the two-match series.

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World No. 2 Ireland haven’t beaten the Springboks in South Africa since coming away with a memorable 26-20 victory in Cape Town on 11 June 2016. The Boks won the next two Tests in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth but haven’t beaten their rivals since.

Their most recent matchup is one that won’t soon be forgotten. Thousands at Stade de France sang out ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries last September when Ireland claimed a famous five-point win during the Rugby World Cup pool stage.

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      But the Irish were met by the might of the All Blacks in the quarter-finals and were ultimately sent packing after Sam Whitelock claimed a turnover deep into final play territory. As for South Africa, they went on to claim another world title.

      So, the Boks are world champs but Ireland are the team who beat them. That creates drama.

      It’s like the build-up to a main event boxing bout with the amount of narratives that are being thrown around at the moment. Fans from both nations are still looking back at the sport’s showpiece event as the war of words continues.

      “The nicest thing about a rivalry is it grows and it ebbs and flows according to results. South Africa can’t hide from the fact that they haven’t beaten Ireland since 2016. Ireland can’t hide from the fact that they haven’t got past a quarter-final at a World Cup,” Skinstad said on SENZ Breakfast.

      “You can’t consider them as small. We feel emaciated by the fact that we haven’t been able to beat Ireland, they’re an outstanding international team and then they’ve got closing problems at a World Cup. It doesn’t make us any better or any worse, but it’s two different things.

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      “It’s like an argument with your wife. You want to have a beer with your mates, she wants you to stay home and they are two different things but we’ve matched them together and I love it because it creates an amazing opportunity to have different people having different opinions about a game but it all gets settled in the 80 minutes.”

      Ireland were brilliant during the Six Nations. France received a red card during their matchup in the opening round of the illustrious northern hemisphere competition, but the men in green still outclassed their opponents with a headline-grabbing win.

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      The Irish were on track for the Grand Slam, too, but England managed an incredible upset at Twickenham by way of a Marcus Smith drop goal. But still, they managed to take out the Six Nations crown for another year.

      Away from the international arena, Leinster recently lost to the Bulls at Loftus Versfield – the very area where the first Test between Ireland and South Africa will be held. Fans can read into that result if they like, but the Irish will still be supremely confident that they can make history.

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      “The last win they won with 14 men on the field… CJ Stander got a red card and then Ireland actually knocked South Africa over,” Skinstad explained.

      “Ireland have been to South Africa and beaten South Africa, why would they not think they could do it again? I think it’s an amazing opportunity for them to do the same.

      “In the same breath, I think South Africa feel stung by the commentary… by the lack of acceptance that Ireland aren’t necessarily ranked below South Africa in World Rugby at the moment and I think they want to prove something.

      “It’s going to be a real out-and-out… someone said it’s a ‘war’ when these teams are playing each other and that’s fantastic. That’s what you want.”

      Rassie Erasmus has named 12 members of last year’s starting side in the World Cup final in the XV to take on the Irish. Damian Willemse, Steven Kitshoff and Duane Vermeulen are the trio who haven’t been selected either through injury or retirement.

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      Faf de Klerk joins Handre Pollard in the halves, while the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit and captain Siya Kolisi will provide the muscle and experience in a star-studded forward pack.

      “He (Rassie) has put a cracking team out. Ireland have been doing a lot of prep for this and (there’s) serious excitement. Outside, we’ve had a pre-game against Wales.

      “Getting the guys together, with all the international places they play has been difficult and challenging but it seems like they’ve got a good team on the field and I’m pretty excited.

      “I think it’s going to be one of those ones where everyone promises firecrackers and then we get a serious firework show.”

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      Comments

      15 Comments
      B
      B.J. Spratt 383 days ago

      If FRANCE can beat the Poms 56 -10 at their “Hallowed home ground in March 2023, Twickenham, after trying for 16 years, I am sure the All Blacks can take them apart in Dunedin with a similar score and I am sure the Boks will “rip Ireland apart” and once again Northern Hemisphere Rugby will be “humiliated” for what it is;


      A bunch of Public School Twats who sit around drinking whiskey at their Private Clubs, still patting each other on the back for the 1971 Lions Tour of New Zealand.


      Mind you they were the “Best Test team I have ever seen”


      Let face it check the record, you just can’t match “The Colonials when it comes to Rugby, Rugby League and Cricket”

      B
      Blanco 383 days ago

      Strange logic. NZ have hammerred Ireland in the past. Based on that why did they lose the series in NZ? Why haven’t SA ‘ripped Ireland apart’ in the last 3 matches?

      Why are you calling Ireland colonialists? Check out your mirror, the muppet show is on loop.

      B
      Blanco 384 days ago

      “We definitely can’t just rock up and expect to win”.

      Handre Pollard.

      Wow, big of Handre! Great for Handre if SA are thinking this way!

      j
      jim 384 days ago

      I think this will be a cracker and hopefully lives up to the hype. Hopefully an intense but clean game not decided by a stupid red card on either side. Looking forward to a good game. The talking now needs to be done on the pitch. Best of luck to both sides but Éire abú

      B
      Blanco 384 days ago

      The ‘war of words’ seems to be a common theme in South African commentary. Maybe South African media are running with this. All the words are on one side. There isn't a war just a disappointing attempt by Erasmus to start one. SA players know this, I can’t see this them being able to seriously use any real anger towards Ireland or Irish players as a common motivating factor. On the other hand Erasmus has handed Ireland one. Ireland are very very quiet……

      p
      pieter 382 days ago

      The Irish have been making noise up until now! Now they have to actually face the Boks at home and they are not looking forward to it. They will not be sleeping much tonight…. They have been talking nonsense about the Boks for months.…

      B
      Bruce 384 days ago

      Maybe they're very very scared.! 😂

      Y
      YeowNotEven 384 days ago

      Congratulations in advance to all the players who are alive at the end of this match.

      Also, I place zero value on the bulls vs Leinster result. It will familiarise the Irish players which is a bit of a positive, but that’s about all the effect it has.

      These players are too professional to have any mental hang ups, too driven to perform for their countries, and both sides are (no disrespect) far better coached by their national set ups.

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      P
      PL 2 hours ago
      Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

      I find it interesting that journalists who have done nothing in rugby comment on selections & coaching like they are experts

      Concussive injury’s will remove insurance cover from the game unless their is strict application of the laws designed to remove MND Parkinson’s and CTE from the game


      Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby


      The officiating of last feet is non existent

      The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

      A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2


      Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

      Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game


      About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

      Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise


      The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip


      I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons


      The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

      Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

      Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

      My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management


      Yellow every time head contact or above sternum


      Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

      Last feet to last feet + 1 m


      When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum


      As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club


      Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

      25 were scrum for dissent


      Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error


      All the s.ite would disappear


      The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards


      Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

      1 Go to comments
      S
      Soliloquin 3 hours ago
      Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

      For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

      His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

      But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

      And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


      I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

      For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

      But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


      As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

      Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


      And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

      So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

      France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

      237 Go to comments
      S
      Soliloquin 3 hours ago
      Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

      Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

      But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

      He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

      Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

      He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

      He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


      I really hope that:

      -Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

      -Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

      -Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

      237 Go to comments
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