Johannesburg - World Cup-winning Springbok Joel Stransky believes the Boks hold the advantage over a “tired” Irish squad heading into the Test series decider in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
”The Irish will struggle to come back from that last-minute defeat (last Saturday). It’s been a tough season for them and they will already have one foot on the plane looking home,” he said.
The South Africans go into the final game with momentum and a much-needed confidence boost from their 32-26 victory last week.
Stransky was speaking at Thursday night’s South African Sports Hall of Fame induction of rugby commentator Hugh Bladen, as well as the 1995 World Cup-winning squad.
Also inducted was former president Nelson Mandela.
”It’s a great honour to be inducted into the hall of fame. When we embarked on our journey to play rugby for South Africa, this wasn’t on our minds. To be here tonight is a great privilege,” said Stransky.
Despite an apparent shaky start to Allister Coetzee’s tenure at the helm, Stransky has put his faith in the new coach to successfully guide the Boks through the transitional period South African rugby finds itself in.
”It’s always tough for a new coach, particularly when you’ve lost a lot of stalwart players and you go towards a time of evolution. He will be delighted with his first win. He must be a little worried it hasn’t quite gone according to plan, but there is time,” said Stransky.
Breyton Paulse, ex-Springbok winger and host for the evening, Breyton Paulse, identified three areas of improvement for the side: execution, defence and discipline.
However, he sees the addition of Warren Whiteley and Ruan Combrinck into the starting XV bringing a whole new dynamic to the squad.”Whiteley is a natural leader, a classic eighth manNo 8, who has the respect of all the players, and Combrinck is a strong, powerful player who reads the game well.
“They will have to show the same character they showed in the second half last week, but if they can deliver those performances from the start they will have a big impact,” said Paulse.
Former Bok and Lions player Kobus Wiese praised the inclusion of Combrinck and Whiteley but criticised the lack of a starting line-up position for newcomer Jaco Kriel.
“Jaco is the best No 6 flanker in the country. We need someone in the breakdown points so hopefully he will get some game time.”The stakes are high for the Boks and their coach with all to play for as they look to deny Ireland a first series win on South African soil.
Saturday Star