South Africa vs Ireland: ‘Let them keep talking’ – Mike Catt shrugs off Springboks comments before Test series

Catt confirmed Ireland have no fresh injury concerns in their 35-man squad after Jamison Gibson-Park was ruled out with a hamstring injury last week.

The squad assembled in Dublin last week and will depart for Johannesburg on Tuesday, with the first Test in Pretoria on 6 July and the second in Durban seven days later.

While Ireland have not played since the Six Nations, Rassie Erasmus’ Boks warmed up for the series with a 41-13 win over Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.

“Again, it’s a new coaching staff in South Africa too. We’ve got a few new changes, so it is a little bit different, but it’s exciting and it’s why we play the game,” observed Catt.

“It’s exciting to go and challenge yourself against the best in the world. That’s the opportunity these guys have got. Hopefully we can go make the most of it.

“The young boys coming in [for South Africa] came off the bench, got their first caps and were electric. Then the old heads, your Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jesse Kriel and those guys are world class. We need to make sure that we understand how we can try and put one over them.”

Catt added: “I think we have a clear understanding of what their strengths are.

“How to manipulate those strengths into our favour, it’s something that we need to get right in two weeks’ time.

“We know what they’re bringing. There’s a lot of emotion, a lot of physicality and they’re exceptionally good rugby players. We need to make sure we understand how we can try and turn them over.”