Cape Town - Springbok lock Victor Matfield says their Test against Ireland in Dublin will be a "huge" challenge.
The Boks start their four-game year-end tour with a clash against the Six Nations champions at Aviva Stadium on Saturday. It will be followed by Tests against England (London, November 15), Italy (Padova, November 22) and Wales (Cardiff, November 29).
"It will be a massive test against Ireland. They are the Six Nations champions and have played really well this year," Matfield told Netwerk24.
"Statistics show that Ireland compete just as well as New Zealand and South Africa at the set pieces. England also played really well against the All Blacks in New Zealand."
Meanwhile, the Boks arrived in Dublin on Sunday without lock Eben Etzebeth, who will join the squad on Tuesday following a family bereavement; while there will be more clarity on scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar’s fitness situation on Monday.
The Bok team for Saturday’s Test will be named on Wednesday.
The Boks start their four-game year-end tour with a clash against the Six Nations champions at Aviva Stadium on Saturday. It will be followed by Tests against England (London, November 15), Italy (Padova, November 22) and Wales (Cardiff, November 29).
"It will be a massive test against Ireland. They are the Six Nations champions and have played really well this year," Matfield told Netwerk24.
"Statistics show that Ireland compete just as well as New Zealand and South Africa at the set pieces. England also played really well against the All Blacks in New Zealand."
Meanwhile, the Boks arrived in Dublin on Sunday without lock Eben Etzebeth, who will join the squad on Tuesday following a family bereavement; while there will be more clarity on scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar’s fitness situation on Monday.
The Bok team for Saturday’s Test will be named on Wednesday.