Suspension drama fails to shake Springboks ahead of Ireland Test

The Springboks may have entered the week with a disciplinary storm brewing overhead, but the suspension sword that dangled above Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert never threatened to derail their preparations for Saturday’s heavyweight showdown with Ireland in Dublin.

It was perhaps disruptive for De Jager and Mostert, who only learned their fate late in the week after receiving red cards in consecutive matches. However, for the rest of the Springboks, it was business as usual as they prepared for the clash at the Aviva Stadium (7.40pm kick-off).

While De Jager was ultimately suspended for four matches, Mostert had his card rescinded — but it came too late in the week for the Boks to change their team.

Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones said on Friday that it would have been tough on the duo because they badly wanted to play; however, the rest of the squad would not be mentally affected by the off-field noise.

“You have to feel for Lood and Franco in particular, but most of the other guys are professional enough and have been around long enough to know how to get on with things and prepare for the Test,” Jones said.

“For those two, it was disruptive because it was uncertain whether they were going to be available or not. Will they miss a session because they’ve got a consultation, a hearing, or an appeal?

“They desperately wanted to be selected and play for the Springboks, and they did their absolute best not only in how they conducted themselves but also in the moments in question. This week was likely more disruptive for them than for the team.”

A former Irish international, Jones has a clear insight into what makes Ireland such a formidable opponent. Since 2012, the Boks haven’t won a match at the Aviva Stadium, and they’ll be pushing to break that streak in Dublin for the first time under head coach Rassie Erasmus.

According to Jones, it will feel slightly different for him and fellow Irishmen Jerry Flannery and Paddy O’Sullivan to coach against Ireland; however, they’re approaching this like any other Test match.

“Ireland have been in and around No 1, 2 and 3 in the world for such a long period now, and it goes back to the structures they’ve built over the last few decades. Their school system, their academies, and how it all feeds into the national team so effectively.

“They’ve worked hard to ensure their feeder system is in a strong position. This current team is extremely well coached and has been for a long time. The foundations were laid by Declan Kidney, through to Joe Schmidt and now Andy Farrell.

“Then there are the players who accelerated that success through unbelievable hard work and a style of play that has evolved over the years. Their skill set and depth have grown, and the players coming through are already at a professional level at a young age.

“All of that comes back to hard work.”