BLOG: Betway ambassador Peter Stringer was joined by former Springbok captains Jean de Villiers and Victor Matfield to preview this weekend’s Ireland v South Africa clash.
Which player has caught your eye so far?
Peter Stringer:
I’ll go with Bundee Aki.
I think his attitude in the last couple of weeks has been immense. And it’s probably taken that conversation out of Andy Farrell’s hands in terms of who he starts in that 12 position because he gives them that go-forward
Bundee has developed his game in terms of that offloading ability, but also defensively. As a standout guy looking from an Irish point of view, I can’t look any further than Bundee at the moment
How confident are you all feeling ahead of the game?
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Jean de Villiers:
I’m not feeling confident at all. I’m so worried about it because it’s so close. I think it’s so tight. And like the other two have already mentioned, it will probably come down to a decision, a bit of luck
Peter Stringer:
I think about Ireland and the way they can play, and there’s then these little creeping doubts that come back into my head with the discipline in the last game
But there’s something that tells me that they can bring it out for the big games with the confidence that they’ve got in recent times from beating South Africa, beating New Zealand
Which players do you think need to have a good game for you to win?
Peter Stringer:
Johnny Sexton, there’s no questioning his importance to this team
This guy was written off five, six years ago and they were looking for his replacement. They’re still looking for the replacement to put their hand up to see who wants to take his jersey
I think Johnny is absolutely key because if Ireland lose Johnny Sexton, I think we’re in serious trouble for this World Cup