Eire worker tutor Mike Catt brushed aside the worth of doubtless provocative feedback from the South Africa camp forward of then moment’s tantalising two-match line.
Springboks trio Eben Etzebeth, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe are amongst the ones to have stoked the flames of a rising competition between the arena’s two top-ranked aspects since latter moment’s Rugby Global Cup in France.
Eire are because of fly to Johannesburg on Tuesday forward of going through the arena champions on July 6 in Pretoria and 7 days then in Durban, each survive Sky Sports activities.
“People can say what they want. It means nothing to us. It’s something we don’t particularly worry about,” South Africa-born assault tutor Catt informed journalists.
“Let them keep talking. It’s not a problem. It doesn’t fuel anything. It doesn’t make it any or worse. We know exactly what we need to do to go down there and be successful.”
Eire have gained the pace 3 conferences between the 2 countries and 5 of the latter seven.
Former Munster centre De Allende mentioned the Springboks felt “disrespected” via bulky media grievance nearest a crushing 38-3 defeat in Dublin in 2017.
Lock Etzebeth branded Andy Farrell’s gamers “arrogant” for his or her behaviour following September’s 13-8 Global Cup pool-stage victory in Paris.
Hour South Africa recovered from that Stade de France defeat to conserve the Webb Ellis Cup, Eire suffered a regular quarter-final proceed, dropping 28-24 to eventual runners-up Pristine Zealand.
“The rivalry’s been good, that’s what you want at Test level, it’s why you play the game,” persevered Catt. “We’ve been good-looking a success over the pace 3 times we’ve performed them, they’re champing on the bit.
“There’s been a lot said in the press and this and that. It’s getting rid of all the white noise. What’s important for us is to put in a hell of a performance, and go and challenge to win a series down in South Africa.
“It’s wholesome, you wish to have that competition. You wish to have that – no longer hatred – however no matter it’s that stirs all of it up. It’s excellent.”
Catt, who will let go his function following the excursion, showed Eire haven’t any unutilized trauma considerations of their 35-man squad nearest Jamison Gibson-Landscape was once latter date dominated out with a hamstring trauma.
Hour Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks warmed up for the line with a 41-13 win over Wales at Twickenham on Saturday, the Irish have no longer performed since maintaining the Guinness Six International locations name in March.
“It’s exciting to go and challenge yourself against the best in the world,” mentioned Catt. “That’s the opportunity these guys have got. Hopefully we can go make the most of it.”
Observe Eire’s two-Take a look at excursion of South Africa this July survive Sky Sports activities. Wave rugby’s summer season internationals in 2024 and extra with a NOW Sports activities Date Club. Negative promise, prohibit anytime.