Ireland go in serach of an historic series clinching win today when they meet South Africa for the second test in Johannesburg.
After recording an historic first ever test win against the Springboks on South African soil last weekend, the momentum is decidedly with Ireland this weekend ahead of the 4pm kick-off.
Paddy Jackson
One of the most significant talking points which emanated from the encounter last weekend, was Paddy Jackson's proficient performance at out-half. Comparisons with the resident number 10 Johnny Sexton peppered the post-match analysis but in retrospect, Jackson never looked like a man who was standing in the shadow of the Leinster man.
He kicked 16 points, made 13 tackles, was involved in two try-savers, almost scored a try, and crucially hit a drop goal when Ireland were down to 13 men.
Granted, he threw a loose pass which led to Pieter-Steph Du Toit's opportunist try, but his ability to park that mistake and respond with a calmly converted penalty. In all, he missed just one placed kick from six last Saturday.
The question now remains if he can sustain that form later today?
A wounded South Africa could prove dangerous
Without meaning to undermine Ireland's brilliance last weekend, it would be naive to neglect the potential for a South African reprisal today.
And if we consider Allister Coetzee's comments in the aftermath of the game, South Africa have already began plotting their counter-attack.
“They weren’t interested in playing. All they did was make it as difficult as possible for us to exit, just put it in behind us, turn us and we were actually bogged down in our own 22."
"They got a drop goal and a chip try and it was a very clever tactic. I don’t think we handled it well, but I think we will be better this week."
Stander's absence
In terms of discipline, the game was carried out without many flare ups in the first game. And the one red card sentence of the day, was arguably a harsh one. CJ Stander's challenge on Pat Lambie, rendered him momentarily unconscious and left him with a concussion. Injuries of that nature are never well received, but would Stander have received a dismissal had Lambie not suffered such an extreme injury?
If Lambie leapt back up and continued on, it's possible that Stander would have been directed to
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