Former England flyhalf Danny Cipriani says the Springboks have “something special” to bring world number one Ireland’s winning run to an end on Saturday.
The defending world champions take on Test rugby’s top-ranked team in a crucial World Cup pool clash in Paris.
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There is very little to separate the Springboks from Ireland, as both comfortably won their two opening pool fixtures. Ireland come into the clash on the back of a 15-game winning run, stretching back to their series win in New Zealand last July.
“In term of the technical element, Ireland have it. The way they play, their connectivity as a group on the field,” Cipriani told the Official Rugby World Cup 2023 podcast.
“South Africa have something special within them, just how united they are and how much they have been through together. All of the different stories coming together and creating a forceful nation.
“It’s not just the rugby with them, you see Siya (Kolisi), how he’s leading. He’s talking like a politician and uniting everyone.
“He’s not talking like an English politician, he’s talking with truth, love and compassion. It’s not emotionally charged with the fact they’re going to be out of control, the emotion is that they want to do it for each other to a degree which isn’t in other nations as much.”
Cipriani said that if it came down to a World Cup final between South Africa and Ireland, he would back the Boks to get the job done and retain the Webb Ellis Cup.
“Obviously I think Ireland are great but I think that when it comes down to it, Ireland do have the best system and shapes… If I’m brutally honest I don’t think they have the best decision-makers in the world.
“If the final is South Africa versus Ireland, a lot of those pressure moments won’t feel like pressure to those South African boys whereas it will feel like that to those Irish boys. It will be a very different proposition.”
Photo: GIANLUIGI GUERCIA / AFP