South African Rugby Gears Up for Tantalizing Ireland Clash: Springboks Unfazed by Past Defeats

Published: [Current Date] | Source: BBC Rugby Union

Ahead of the highly anticipated two-Test series between South Africa’s Springboks and Ireland, head coach Rassie Erasmus has made it clear that his side is not looking to settle any unfinished business. The Springboks have lost their last three encounters against the Irish, but Erasmus insists that his team is focused on the task at hand rather than dwelling on past results.

“We don’t use those kinds of words,” Erasmus stated in a press conference after announcing his matchday 23. “I think they [Ireland] probably from their side have unfinished business to try and get the world number one ranking again, but we don’t talk like that. We just analyze players, we do checks on how their teams performed in URC and European Cups, and we pick our teams accordingly to see what players we think can do the job for us on Saturday, and we are trying really hard.”

Despite Ireland’s recent dominance over the Springboks, Erasmus believes his side’s past successes, including two Rugby World Cup titles and a British and Irish Lions series win, outweigh the losses.

“I would rather take the World Cup – two World Cups – and a British and Irish Lions series and take the three losses, but we never go out to lose,” he said.

The absence of veteran Irish fly-half Johnny Sexton, who has retired from international rugby, is another factor that Erasmus has considered.

“The refs have much easier now,” he joked, before praising Sexton’s replacement, Jack Crowley, for his fearless approach to the game.

As the bbc rugby union, rugby union gameplay, rugby union scores, and rugby union news enthusiasts eagerly await the upcoming fixtures, the Springboks appear unfazed by their recent record against Ireland. With a focus on thorough preparation and a determination to showcase their best rugby, the South African side is poised to deliver a compelling showdown on home soil.

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