Ireland's game against Fiji in the World Rugby U20 Championship will go ahead this afternoon but the game will be played in the shadow of tragedy after the deaths of one of the player’s fathers and two pupils from St Michael’s College.
Greig Oliver, a former assistant coach with the U20s and a Munster Rugby development official, died yesterday in a paragliding accident.
The 58-year-old former Scotland international was in South Africa supporting his son Jack, who was named in the squad for today’s Pool B match (12.30pm).
Yesterday, head coach Richie Murphy paid tribute to Max Wall and Andrew O'Donnell, who died in separate incidents in Greece.
Six of the U20s panel are former students of the school and knew the two young men who passed away.
Murphy, speaking before the news of Greig Oliver's death, said: "I think the guys are definitely in a little bit of shock, devastated about what's happened. I think that's through the whole squad.
"Obviously, these guys know the young boys a lot better than some of the other members.
"Everyone is in the same sort of position where it's shock. We've our doctor on hand, he's looking after the guys.
"We've had a number of conversations with a couple of them and the guys were obviously very upset yesterday but definitely feeling a little bit better today and probably, not come to terms with it, but clarified what's happening in their heads."
Ireland will wear black armbands as a mark of respect to the deceased and there will be a minute's silence before the game.
The team are currently in second place in the group, level on points with England, but a win should be enough to book a semi-final place, either as pool winner or the best placed runner-up.
Meanwhile, Murphy said his side's ability to adapt will be key.
Within a tight timeframe, Murphy has had to deal with the loss of three players, Hugh Cooney, James McNabney and Rory Telfer, to suspension. Ruadhan Quinn is out with a head injury, while Harry West pulled up at training on Sunday.
That means a total of 10 changes to the side that beat the Junior Wallabies and they will also have to deal with a change of venue. Originally, the game was due to be played at the Paarl Gymnasium but it has been switched to the Danie Craven Stadium, where Fiji have played their two games to date, losses to Australia and England.
"We're hoping we won't be playing in a mudheap," said Murphy ahead of the game in Stellenbosch in reference to the heavy pitch conditions in their two games in Paarl.
"We've seen Danie Craven. We haven't been there. We've seen the stadium on TV. Obviously, Fiji have played two of their games there so it's probably a little bit of an advantage for them in relation to that.
"The pitch seems to be a hell of a lot drier, which I think will have a decent effect on us. It'll give us a little bit of a bounce to be not trawling through that heavy, heavy surface that's in Paarl.
"We're looking forward to getting there. We'll get there, 90 minutes before kick-off and go out and have a look around. I think that you come to tournaments like this and when it comes to training, five-day turnarounds, changing venues, you have to be adaptable and we've talked about this all the way through the season, not just the World Cup.
"Our ability to adapt. Our ability to learn faster than the team we're playing. This is just part of a young rugby player's development.
"It's a really good test for them if they can park the bits and pieces that are going on in their lives in relation to changing venues and go out and give a performance on the pitch."
While Ireland have rung the changes, Fiji will line out with 14 of the team that started the 53-7 defeat to England, a fact that Murphy says may give his side a slight advantage.
"It definitely gives us a better insight into who they are and what they're trying to do," he said.
"I don't think the English game was a good reflection of Fiji because the conditions were obviously quite difficult, something that they're probably not that used to.
They have some really good players and in their side, if you look at the seven, [Moti] Murray is a top-class player, very effective with ball in hand, very good over the top of the ball at the breakdown and just a real menace.
"So they'll challenge us at the breakdown, it's really important that we're very accurate in that area.
"If we are accurate in that area and we can build some phases, we will definitely cause them a bit of trouble, so that's obviously part of the plan."
Ireland U20: Henry McErlean; James Nicholson, Sam Berman, John Devine, Andrew Osborne; Matthew Lynch, Oscar Cawley; George Hadden, Danny Sheahan, Fiachna Barrett; Evan O'Connell, Joe Hopes; Diarmuid Mangan (capt), Dan Barron, Brian Gleeson.
Replacements: Max Clein, George Morris, Ronan Foxe, Charlie Irvine, Gus McCarthy, Sam Prendergast, Hugh Gavin.
Fiji U20: Peni Waqalala; Sireli Masiwini, Waqa Nalaga, Pateresio Finau, Manieta Navonovono; Isaiah Ravula, Philip Baselala; Moses McGoon, Joeli Nainoca, Breyton Legge; Mesake Vocevoce, Nalani May; Timoci Nakalevu, Moti Murray (capt), Juda Saumaisue.
Replacements: Josh Kina, Marika Toga, Lasaro Vuluma, Semi Tokitani, Sakenasa Nalasi, Zach Kama, Frank Ralogaivau, Netava Saukuru.
Follow a live blog of Ireland v Fiji on RTÉ Sport Online and the RTÉ News app from 12.15pm
