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Brian O'Driscoll on what he expects from the Boks in Dublin

Jamie Heaslip and Damian de Allende playing for Ireland and South Africa

Brian O’Driscoll feels Ireland should expect a huge challenge in the first Test of the November internationals against South Africa.

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The Springboks finished third behind Australia and winners New Zealand in the Rugby Championship, drawing twice with the Wallabies and running the All Blacks close in the final match in Cape Town.

But they also suffered a crushing 57-0 loss to Steve Hansen’s world champions in Albany in September, as Allister Coetzee’s team continues to struggle for consistency.

Nevertheless, retired Ireland great O’Driscoll knows his countrymen must brace themselves for a physically demanding contest in Dublin on Saturday.  

“The Springboks are in a transitional period,” he told Omnisport.

“They’ve come off the back of a couple of big losses but they’re always powerful against Ireland. [They] take the game to them, they’re very physical. Very confrontational – the way they play their best rugby. 

“So, [we can] expect a huge challenge. Hopefully Ireland can continue with some of their good form they’ve shown over the last year to 18 months.” 

The Springboks won the series 2-1 when Ireland toured South Africa in June 2016.

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Another 8 hours ago
Razor's 2024 All Blacks Christmas wish list

"It seems like the idea of Ardie Savea moving to openside flanker is no longer on the table"


Says who? Savea was picked on the open side, with Wallace Sititi at 8, against France. It makes no difference to Savea’s game, whatsoever and allows Sititi to play in his preferred position. It also provides an option to bring in a third loose forward that may provide a better lineout option and a big body to compete with some of the big bodies found in other teams.


It was unfortunate that Finau was injured so early on against France before he had a chance to show how he might combine with Savea and Sititi, and there is still a possibility that Hoskins Sotutu might be effective alongside them too.


Don’t count out viable options.

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