Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan believes his side can become the first nation to win a series in South Africa since 1996. The squad arrived in Cape Town today at the start of a two-test series for which they have been made favourites. The winners of the Triple Crown are ranked fifth in the world by the International Rugby Board, with the Springboks sixth.
He said: "We are not coming here to make up the numbers. If we perform well it's a real chance but it's a question of whether we can deliver the performance. What the rankings say is that we are not far off the top four or five rugby nations in the world and that's something for us to take a lot of credit out of. We have worked very hard to put ourselves in that position."
New Zealand were the last side to win a series in South Africa, triumphing for the first time in the Republic in 1996. The composite British and Irish Lions also won in 1997. No northern hemisphere side has won a series in South Africa since 1993 when France drew the first test and won the second.
He added: "We are travelling with a pretty strong squad and come off a pretty good season in Ireland and we feel we have a good chance of a test victory. We don't worry too much about whether we're favourites or underdogs, we have set our own goals. The Springboks are a world-class side and always have been but it's about us performing."
The first test is in Bloemfontein on June 12 with the second in Cape Town a week later.
Filed by Mark O'Neill-Cummins
