Former Ireland International Jerry Flannery has said facing Ireland will be 'very personal' to him ahead of starting his new job as defence coach for the Springboks. The former Munster man joined Rassie Erasmus' new coaching ticket as defence coach after four years working with Harlequins in London.
Flannery comes in as a replacement for Jacques Neinaber who joined Leinster after winning back-to-back coach with the Springboks in October. Flannery will want to win the players over and show his commitment to the South African culture. Speaking with Independent Newspapers, Jerry Flannery said he's learning Afrikaans and has been given 2 years to learn it.
I got told I’ve got to learn Afrikaans in two years – I reckon I can get it down in a year. Daan Human (Bok scrum coach) said to me if I can learn one sentence every day
I can speak Irish and English, and if I can add Afrikaans in there, I think I will be a winner.
Jerry Flannery On Facing Ireland In Summer Tests
On the prospect of facing Ireland Flannery was excited for a few reasons. One of them was a chance to be part of the first South Africa side to beat Ireland in 8 years. The Springboks last victory over Ireland came in the summer tour in 2016 when South Africa won 19-13 in the last test to take the series 2-1. Since then Ireland have beaten the Springboks 38-3 in 2017, 19-16 in November 2022 followed by the 13-8 win in Paris during the World Cup group stage last year.
Those last two matchups in particular were nail-biters, going down to the final moments and were full of drama. That's why the prospect of the summer tour this year is so exciting for everyone, but especially Flannery;
It’s obviously going to be very, very personal for me. The nice thing as well is that because we haven’t beaten Ireland since 2016, it’s a big milestone for the group.
And it’s about me controlling myself that week. But it is very personal for me, which I think is good because you care then – and I think when the players feel you care, they will go, ‘let’s do this’.
On what's the biggest task when facing Ireland, Jerry Flannery was full of praise for Ireland and wasn't able to nail down one weakness or gap in which the Springboks can attack them at.
It’s a big challenge because genuinely when I watch them, I go Ireland are really one of the best sides in the world – so fit, so skilful, so many layers to their game… It’s not about just stopping one thing
It looks set to be a blockbuster test series this summer and Ireland have a chance to win their first ever tour series in South Africa.
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