Former South Africa captain John Smit doesn't believe Ireland's coaches should be fixated on "physicality" in selecting their side for this weekend’s Quilter Nations Series meeting with the Springboks at Aviva Stadium.
Ireland host the defending world champions on Saturday in Dublin as they look to cap off their November slate on a high.
Both head coaches will name their teams on Thursday, with Andy Farrell set to make at least one change from his side after last weekend's impressive win against Australia, with Stuart McCloskey ruled out with a groin issue and Garry Ringrose expected to return.
Farrell has to weigh up his options at out-half between Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley, after both players impressed in the 46-19 win against the Wallabies.
Prendergast started, having come off the bench in the two previous November games, and earned high praise for his attacking and kicking game, while Crowley entered for the final quarter and injected further energy as Ireland scored three more tries to record a record win against Australia.
While Prendergast impressed overall, his physicality in defence continues to be a concern after he was bowled over by Len Ikitau for the first Australia try.
And while South Africa pose the greatest test of physicality in the game, Smit doesn’t believe Ireland should let power dictate their choice.
"I think Ireland and South Africa are both in the same position when it comes to the pivots," the former World Cup winning captain told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.
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"It's horses for courses, how do you want to play? Who you're playing will depend on what you select."
Smit, who won 111 caps for the Springboks between 2000 and 2011, didn’t specifically say which of Crowley or Prendergast he expects to see in the 10 shirt this weekend, but he thinks targeting a fast start should be a bigger focus than physicality.
"Ireland have got to make a decision about, they've got two really good fly-halves and sometimes against South Africa a lot of teams can get lulled into trying to make decisions around physicality rather than a decision around how they want to play and how they believe that style of play will get them points on the board early.
"And I think Ireland need to be able to put points on the board early if they want to have a real shot.
"I genuinely believe teams that have done the best against South Africa have not made decisions based on physicality. Physicality is always there every single game.
"It is the one thing that determines momentum. But everyone's got physicality. I mean, we haven't seen South Africa absolutely walk over Ireland in the last three, four years from a physicality point of view.
"But I genuinely believe that Ireland need to make a selection, specifically a pivot that suits the way that they want to play and rather than adjusting to what physical threat might come from South Africa," he added.
Bernard Jackman joined Smit (above) on the podcast, and the former Ireland hooker believes that with both out-halves impressing last week, Crowley has done enough to get back into the starting jersey.
"I totally see John's point," Jackman said. "You don't want to get overly obsessed about the opposition. And you got to play your game.
"And I think Ireland will want to play, and Sam's attacking game is very good. I just think that they'll probably go with Jack, with Sam to finish. And both can implement their attacking game.
"I would think that Jack would probably start because of obviously the treat that South Africa brings, but it depends; you may want him to finish as well and I thought he did really well and our best our best period was when we looked very comfortable with Jack at 10 as well.
"The problem for Sam at the moment is it's the one-on-ones [in defence]. Every team is trying to get two-man hits as often as possible.
"There are certain times where a player gets isolated and his conversion rate in those needs to be a bit better."
Farrell has been keen to stress that his out-half pool is greater than two players, citing Ciarán Frawley’s presence in the wider Ireland squad, as well as Harry Byrne (below), who has started the season in promising form for Leinster.
But Jackman argues there is a clear two-way race for the starting spot in next year’s Six Nations, with both players looking sharp.
"I think the main thing is both of them now look really comfortable, on form, confident. They have different skillsets and hence you can mix and match a little bit.
"I'm not sure when we have two of them we're going to have the outright dominant 10 like we had with O'Gara, with Sexton, with Humphreys. Certainly we need a number one, but there'll be certain games where one skillset gets them the nod to start.
"I think the fact that everybody else knows the role a bit better and the details a bit better, it's much easier to play 10 now than it was even at the start of this November series.
"But yeah, it's a fascinating one because whoever obviously plays 60 minutes or whatever it is this week has an unbelievable chance then to go into the Champions Cup break as probably number one," he added.
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Watch Ireland v South Africa in the Quilter Nations Series on Saturday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
