In some ways, it is a shame such a set-piece battle takes place on the first weekend proper of the autumn series, when lines might be a little out of sync, but the hordes of the Aviva will be ecstatic to see their heroes on their return from New Zealand. The plot has thickened further with the introduction of South Africa’s best provincial teams to the United Rugby Championship, which is what the Celtic League of many years ago has evolved to become.
Not that many of the Springboks have seen much action in the URC. They finished the Rugby Championship only at the end of September, pipped to first place by New Zealand, so there has been limited opportunity in the handful of weekends between then and departure for this tour of Europe. Nevertheless, the top four of the URC currently reads: Leinster, Ulster, Bulls, Stormers . These two nations dominate there as well.
But it is Leinster who sit at the top of the URC, with seven wins from seven. Until the South African heavies joined last season, they had won four titles in a row – and their exploits in Europe over the years are even more legendary. They are, give or take in Saturday’s case five players, basically the Ireland team.Photograph: Donall Farmer/PAin July.
Baloucoune missed the New Zealand tour with a hip injury, but there are high hopes for him. If there is to be any air in which to breathe on the Lansdowne Road, it will be found on the wide outside. Both sides pick back threes of rare pace and derring-do, notable departures from the typical thunder of the modern game.
South Africa bring in Kurt-Lee Arendse on the wing, which means everybody’s favourite player, Cheslin Kolbe, will return after a broken jaw to the Springboks’ starting lineup at full-back. Both are rare examples of the elite rugby player under 13 stone. Both could bring a much-cherished change of pace to the script.
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