Ex-Springboks captain claims South Africa v Ireland build-up ‘like an argument with your wife’

Ex-Springboks captain Bob Skinstad has “loved” the build-up to the huge series between South Africa and Ireland as both sides fire shots at each other.

The hosts have certainly been the main aggressors, with Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Damian de Allende among those to stir the pot.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus then started the mind games at the weekend by predicting Andy Farrell’s team before Etzebeth stated in the press conference on Tuesday that he was “targeted” by the Irish media.

For some, it might be considered a slightly tense preamble to the first Test in Pretoria, but Skinstad is enjoying the extra spice that has been added.

Both with something to prove

“The nicest thing about a rivalry is it grows and it ebbs and flows according to results. South Africa can’t hide from the fact that they haven’t beaten Ireland since 2016. Ireland can’t hide from the fact that they haven’t got past a quarter-final at a World Cup,” he told SENZ.

“You can’t consider them as small. We feel emaciated by the fact that we haven’t been able to beat Ireland, they’re an outstanding international team and then they’ve got closing problems at a World Cup. It doesn’t make us any better or any worse, but it’s two different things.

“It’s like an argument with your wife. You want to have a beer with your mates, she wants you to stay home and they are two different things but we’ve matched them together.

“I love it because it creates an amazing opportunity to have different people having different opinions about a game but it all gets settled in the 80 minutes.”

Eben Etzebeth: ‘The Irish media definitely targeted me’

Ireland have had the better of the Springboks in their recent duels, winning the past three matches. That includes the Rugby World Cup clash from last year when Farrell’s charges edged out South Africa 13-8 at the Stade de France.

Last South African win

In fact, the Boks have not beaten the Irish since a series triumph in 2016 when they came from 1-0 behind to seal a 2-1 series win.

Despite the hosts ultimately getting the better of Ireland eight years ago, Skinstad believes that it shows the tourists can overcome the Springboks on their own ground.

“(In 2016) they won with 14 men on the field… CJ Stander got a red card and then Ireland actually knocked South Africa over,” he said.

“Ireland have been to South Africa and beaten South Africa, why would they not think they could do it again? I think it’s an amazing opportunity for them to do the same.

“In the same breath, I think South Africa feel stung by the commentary… by the lack of acceptance that Ireland aren’t necessarily ranked below South Africa in World Rugby at the moment and I think they want to prove something.

“It’s going to be a real out-and-out… someone said it’s a ‘war’ when these teams are playing each other and that’s fantastic. That’s what you want.”

READ MORE: Rassie Erasmus: Ireland have ‘unfinished business’, Springboks content with two World Cups