In eight previous clashes in SA‚ Ireland have never played against the Springboks at the country’s premier rugby venue.
It’s also only the fourth time that Ireland will meet SA at altitude following two matches in Bloemfontein and one in Pretoria.
But the Irish have played at Ellis Park before – against Wales and the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup in 1995.
Predictably the All Blacks thrashed Ireland 43-19 but the emerald greens beat Wales 24-23 a week later to advance to the quarterfinals at the expense of their great northern hemisphere rivals.
Both those matches were big occasions but playing against the Springboks at Ellis Park will be a new experience for all but one of the Ireland side.
Only No 8 Jamie Heaslip has come face-to-face with the Boks at Ellis Park‚ when he packed down for the British & Irish Lions in the third Test in 2009.
The All Blacks have only lost three matches in nearly five years and one of them was at Ellis Park while the Boks’ overall win record in their intimidating Doornfontein venue is a respectable 68 per cent.
Intriguingly though‚ against northern hemisphere opponents the Boks have only won 47 per cent of the 17 clashes at the venue.
Adding another sub-plot to the contest is that the series is on the line with Ireland on the brink of joining some exalted company if they back up last week’s 26-20 win in Cape Town with another victory this weekend.
Only the All Blacks in 1996 and the British & Irish Lions in 1891‚ 1896‚ 1974 and 1997‚ have won series’ in SA of three Tests or more.
Interestingly‚ in those losing series of 1974‚ 1996 and 1997‚ the Boks never lost at Ellis Park‚ winning two and drawing the other. But those three Tests were all dead rubbers.
Saturday’s clash is very much alive. The Ireland class of 2016 have the chance to become immortal figures back home.
In spite of that‚ coach Joe Schmidt surprised by making five changes to the side that won the first Test‚ remaining true to his pre-tour assertion that he wants to ‘grow’ the team for the future.
The astute Ireland mentor is clearly willing to risk a shot at glory this weekend‚ with an eye to long-term development.
But if Ireland doesn’t win in Johannesburg‚ and if they ultimately fall short of taking the series‚ will he look back to his team selection for Ellis Park with regret?
Only time will tell. But Schmidt and Ireland at least have some comfort knowing they have another shot in Port Elizabeth next weekend‚ regardless of the Ellis Park outcome.
The Springboks‚ who are cornered and desperate‚ have no such luxury. But they will take comfort from knowing that they have Ellis Park behind them and that Ireland are in unknown territory.
- TMG Digital
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