Conor Murray has warned his Eire team-mates to count on the sudden from South Africa in Saturday’s big Pool B World Cup match in Paris.
Murray is aware of Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber from his time at Munster, when he assisted Rassie Erasmus – now South Africa’s director of rugby.
“They’re the kind of guys who give you new plans and difficult little issues in new video games,” mentioned the scrum-half.
“So it’s important to be ready for the whole lot.”
Murray labored with Nienaber and Erasmus throughout their season in command of the Irish province in 2016-17 earlier than the duo mixed to information the Springboks to the 2019 World Cup.
Each side go into the match following two wins from their opening video games.
The Irish have been barely examined in opposition to Romania and Tonga whereas the Springboks had an honest contest in a gap 18-3 victory in opposition to Scotland earlier than their much-changed line-up romped to a 76-0 win over the Romanians.
Murray, who began the 59-16 win in opposition to Tonga however is prone to be on the bench with Jamison Gibson-Park returning, mentioned Eire, who’ve scored 20 tries of their opening two matches, can count on to face a tricky defence.
He mentioned South Africa signalled their intent by way of defence of their document 35-7 defeat of New Zealand in a warm-up match at Twickenham final month.
“They’re a tough outfit to play in opposition to, on each side of the ball,” added the 34-year-old after Saturday’s win in Nantes.
“When it comes to their defence, you have got seen their defence, particularly in Twickenham, so we have to attempt to navigate round that.”
Murray will probably be hoping for as memorable an expertise as when he received his a centesimal cap final 12 months in opposition to the identical opponents in Dublin, Eire profitable 19-16.
“Taking part in the world champs in Paris, if that does not get you excited, and even like tonight [after the Tonga match], if you’re listening to that ambiance, one of many lads mentioned it: ‘If you cannot take pleasure in this, then why are you right here?’
“So, it’s important to embrace it too and benefit from the problem. It may be a large problem, world champions in a World Cup.”
Murray was thrilled to have his father Gerry again in good well being as he cheered him on at Saturday’s sport.
The scrum-half’s dad suffered severe accidents earlier this 12 months after colliding with a truck whereas biking in County Limerick however has now absolutely recovered.
