Springboks to catch Ireland

Springboks to catch Ireland


Punting
Michael Duffy

A RAMPANT win over Fiji at the RDS may not necessarily represent an ideal simulation of the task facing Ireland when world champions South Africa visit Croke Park on Saturday. But ten successive unbeaten tests will ensure the home side goes into the game full of confidence.
Fine performances from the likes of Eoin Reddan, Gordon D’Arcy, Keith Earls and especially Jonathan Sexton against the Fijians will have given Declan Kidney that most prized of managerial problems – the selection headache.
The Springboks’ international tour, in contrast, has been under something of a cloud, with a hard-fought win over Italy last weekend their first in four matches. Even then, Morne Steyn was uncharacteristically wayward with the boot and the Boks’ scrum took a pasting from the Italians.
In the end, it took flashes of brilliance from the likes of Fourie du Preez and Jaque Fourie to propel South Africa to a somewhat flattering 22-point win.
South Africa have not beaten Ireland since they claimed a narrow victory in Cape Town in 2004, and they haven’t claimed the spoils in a Dublin test since 2000.
With Munster pair Denis Leamy and Jerry Flannery expected to be fit for the game, Ireland will certainly be competitive and will look to build on the creditable draw with Australia in the opening Autumn International.
After a successful but arduous Tri-Nations campaign, South Africa are understandably weary and it will be interesting to see how Peter de Villiers deals with their front row problems.
They looked much more comfortable in the closing stages against Italy, when John Smit returned as hooker and BJ Botha took over at tighthead.
The Lions among the Irish contingent will have plenty to prove in this one, but there’s also a sense that the ’Boks will be anxious to finish their tour with a flourish and dismiss some of the bad press that has dogged them in recent weeks.
When they did click against Italy, their tries were marvellously executed, and I fear they will be motivated enough to just edge out a win..
Recommendation: South Africa (v Ireland) 4-6.

Other rugby options
IN the other rugby tests this weekend, I strongly fancy Australia to bounce back from their Scottish disaster by beating Wales, while New Zealand should be just too strong for France.
Although buoyed by the Australia result, Scotland might find Argentina a tougher nut to crack.
Recommendations: Australia, New Zealand, Argentina.
Premier League accumulator
AS predicted, Arsenal struggled at Sunderland after the international break, although I expected them to at least squeeze out a point against Steve Bruce’s men. The defeat now makes next Sunday’s clash with Chelsea something of a make or break for Arsene Wenger’s men.
To trail Carlo Ancelotti’s side by 11 points would be a huge deficit for Arsenal to erode, even as early as November. I expect a big performance from the Gunners, and can see them taking the winner’s share of three goals, with Andrei Arshavin the likely match winner.
Elsewhere, Manchester United will win at Portsmouth, while Manchester City should, at last, claim another victory at home to Hull. I also expect home wins for Fulham and Blackburn against Bolton and Stoke respectively.
Recommendations: Arsenal, Man Utd, Man City, Fulham, Blackburn.