Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll believes South African pride can go a long way to make up for the injury problems that have hampered the world champions ahead of tomorrow’s clash at the Aviva Stadium.
O’Driscoll’s side start as marginal favourites as they target a fourth successive victory against the Springboks, who have lost 13 players to injury and finished bottom of the Tri-Nations table.
The Springboks look highly vulnerable, but O’Driscoll refuses to underestimate them.
“I’ve never seen a poor touring Springboks team and I don’t envisage them being any different this weekend,” he said.
“Having lost the last three games in Dublin I’m sure they’ll be trying to make a point of changing that.
“They have large numbers who play in South Africa and have lots of quality. Some of the guys have a wealth experience against top teams, playing against New Zealand and Australia a number of times.
“Guys like Bismarck du Plessis and Bakkies Botha are back and the Springboks are always tough.”
Despite much of the build-up to the game having been overshadowed by slow ticket sales for the autumn series, O’Driscoll is keen that the fans immediately begin the process of establishing the revamped Lansdowne Road as a fortress.
“The prospect of being back home is hugely exciting and we do see the ground as our home,” said the captain.
“As great as it was being at Croke Park and lucky as we felt being allowed to play there, this is where we belong.
“It might look vastly different to when we last played here but this is essentially the home of Irish rugby.
“We want to make it a difficult place to come and play but because of the surroundings that will be more difficult.
“Coming into the old Lansdowne Road there were gale force winds to help out and opposition teams weren’t used to playing in the conditions. Now it’s a more aesthetically pleasing place for teams to come into.
“It will be easier to play in the environment created here so it’s the players’ job to make it a difficult place to come.
“We do that through the brand of rugby we play and the standards that we set ourselves. We hope to get off to winning ways and create a fortress here.”