INJURED Springbok prop Gurthro Steenkamp believes his team-mates have the fighting spirit and experience to defy the odds and beat Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday in the final Test on tour.
With the exhausting Springbok season coming to a close and Ireland having only recently started their international season, the Springboks are expected to be at a physical disadvantage on Saturday.
The Irish media’s depiction of the clash as a grudge match for the British and Irish Lions’ series defeat earlier this year, and the controversy surrounding the Schalk Burger “eye- gouging” incident is expected to rev up the home team even more.
Despite this, Steenkamp, who was forced to return to SA after the opening tour match against the Leicester Tigers due to a knee injury, believes the Boks have it in them for one last shove to ensure that the Test series is a success.
After suffering a 20-13 defeat against France in Toulouse, the Springboks registered a convincing 32-10 victory against Italy in Udine.
Victory on Saturday would not only transform the tour into a relatively successful one despite defeats in the club games, it would also cap a magnificent year for the Springboks as their last victory against Ireland on their home turf was in 2000.
“This team can definitely do it,” Steenkamp said yesterday.
“They have displayed great form all year and the core players are all there. So they won’t be short of experience. It will take a tremendous effort to beat Ireland because they are a good team, but I firmly believe the guys can do it.”
Like Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, Steenkamp believed the British and Irish Lions series win would have little significance when the Boks line up against a few of their Lions foes. But he said the deep- rooted pride and passion in the squad would inspire them to finish the season on a high note.
“There will be a lot of pride and emotion on Saturday because it is the last Test this season and the players will be under no illusions of the importance of the clash,” he said. “They know what they have to do and they will have the peace of mind knowing that they will have a hard- earned break after the game. So there is a lot to play for.”
Steenkamp said while many people played down the significance of the win against Italy last weekend, the quality of rugby from the team was impressive, especially after the narrow 12-7 half-time lead.
“That was probably one of the best performances by the team this year,” said Steenkamp. “They remained calm and showed great character to stamp their authority after half-time and did well to take the ball through phases. That performance will serve as a huge boost ahead of the Irish Test.”
Watching his team-mates going to war with Ireland will leave a bittersweet taste for Steenkamp as his injury may have robbed him of the precious chance to play his first Test against Ireland.
“It is disappointing that I can’t be part of this experience, especially since my injury is not serious,” said Steenkamp. “It would have been a memorable experience to play against Ireland, but injuries are part of the sport and as players we have to accept that. Although I can’t be there I will be one of the team’s biggest supporters when they run on .”
n Springbok centre Jean de Villiers is the third overseas-based player to have been called up for national duty on this tour, and will join the Springbok squad in Dublin today.
De Villiers, who joined Irish club Munster in September, which effectively ruled him out of selection for the Boks because of coach De Villiers’s preference for local-based players, has been called to the squad to replace Adi Jacobs, who has been ruled out of Saturday’s Test against Ireland because of an ankle injury. Jacobs returns to SA today.
Meanwhile, Blue Bulls Rugby Union yesterday confirmed suspicions that their newest Bok, utility back Francois Hougaard, had been earmarked to take over from world- class scrumhalf Fourie du Preez in the next few years by extending his contract by three years.
isaacsz@bdfm.co.za