HAVING DEFEATED THE All Blacks in their last outing, some will argue complacency will be South Africa’s biggest threat during a November Test series which begins in Dublin this evening.
The Springboks’ victory over New Zealand last month only accentuated the task facing Joe Schmidt’s injury-ravaged hosts at the Aviva Stadium but Jean de Villiers knows his side are far from the finished product just yet.
Depending on New Zealand’s result at Twickenham this afternoon, victory over Ireland could move South Africa to the summit of the IRB rankings but de Villiers insists today’s game will be a significant appraisal of their credentials.
“We are under no illusions about the Irish,” The South Africa captain said. ”They are the Six Nations champions and they should have beaten the All Blacks last November and even the New Zealand players admitted that.
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“We have made strides ourselves over the past year but just because we beat the All Blacks doesn’t make us a perfect side. This match is another test for us and presents different challenges.”
The return of experienced players such as Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger and de Villiers has prompted claims that this South African side are in as good as health as ever but the Springboks captain knows he and his team mates will need to be at their best against an embattled Ireland.
“It’s important to evolve as a team every time we play and we have made strides this year in the way we play. We need to be at our best to get a result.”
Ireland are without nine of the team that won the Six Nations earlier this year but de Villiers, who spent a season with Munster in 2009, has praised Schmidt for the impact the Kiwi has made since taking over the reigns.
“You can see it in the detail and how they approach matches now,” de Villiers said. ”Schmidt’s success at Leinster speaks for itself and he was pretty useful too when he worked under Vern Cotter at Clermont.
“Ireland are a much better team under Schmidt and the players look as if they are enjoying themselves.”
The 33-year-old centre will face the rookie pairing of Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw in midfield and while he admits he doesn’t know too much about the duo, it’s that element of surprise that will benefit the home side.
“They bring something different to the game compared to Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll, who to my mind was the greatest centre of this generation. They’ll be coming out firing and want to prove a point.”
Conversely, South Africa have the luxury of being able to name the same XV that defeated the All Blacks at Ellis Park. With just eight games between now and their World Cup opener against Japan, the Springboks will want to hit the ground running.
Dublin date represents start of World Cup cycle for purposeful Springboks
HAVING DEFEATED THE All Blacks in their last outing, some will argue complacency will be South Africa’s biggest threat during a November Test series which begins in Dublin this evening.
The Springboks’ victory over New Zealand last month only accentuated the task facing Joe Schmidt’s injury-ravaged hosts at the Aviva Stadium but Jean de Villiers knows his side are far from the finished product just yet.
Depending on New Zealand’s result at Twickenham this afternoon, victory over Ireland could move South Africa to the summit of the IRB rankings but de Villiers insists today’s game will be a significant appraisal of their credentials.
“We are under no illusions about the Irish,” The South Africa captain said. ”They are the Six Nations champions and they should have beaten the All Blacks last November and even the New Zealand players admitted that.
“We have made strides ourselves over the past year but just because we beat the All Blacks doesn’t make us a perfect side. This match is another test for us and presents different challenges.”
The return of experienced players such as Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger and de Villiers has prompted claims that this South African side are in as good as health as ever but the Springboks captain knows he and his team mates will need to be at their best against an embattled Ireland.
Ireland are without nine of the team that won the Six Nations earlier this year but de Villiers, who spent a season with Munster in 2009, has praised Schmidt for the impact the Kiwi has made since taking over the reigns.
“You can see it in the detail and how they approach matches now,” de Villiers said. ”Schmidt’s success at Leinster speaks for itself and he was pretty useful too when he worked under Vern Cotter at Clermont.
“Ireland are a much better team under Schmidt and the players look as if they are enjoying themselves.”
The 33-year-old centre will face the rookie pairing of Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw in midfield and while he admits he doesn’t know too much about the duo, it’s that element of surprise that will benefit the home side.
“They bring something different to the game compared to Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll, who to my mind was the greatest centre of this generation. They’ll be coming out firing and want to prove a point.”
Conversely, South Africa have the luxury of being able to name the same XV that defeated the All Blacks at Ellis Park. With just eight games between now and their World Cup opener against Japan, the Springboks will want to hit the ground running.
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Aviva Stadium Jean de Villiers November internationals Rugby South Africa Springboks Team: Ireland (rugby 1)