Josh van der Flier: Ireland need more than just physicality against the Boks

Josh van der Flier says Ireland will need to be more than just physical when they take on South Africa this evening.

The Six Nations champions face the reigning world champions in Paris tonight (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player), looking to take a big step towards a place in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup.

With the Springboks presenting arguably the biggest physical challenge in the game, the pre-match analysis has focused on whether or not Ireland will hold their own in the tight exchanges, a question for which Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell is in no doubt of the answer.

However, with South Africa having added a greater variety to their attack in the last 18 months under incoming Leinster coach Jacques Nienaber, the flanker says there is more to the Springboks than meets the eye.

"They're definitely a very physical team, something we’ve become very used to from any South African team they put out, it’s certainly part of their DNA," he said.

"I think every game has a lot of physicality to it, so we know we’ll have to be at our best in that area, and then there’s the things Paulie [O'Connell] talked about, they’re very smart, they come up with some good plays as well.

"It’s not just the physical confrontation they bring, they also have a lot of different things outside that. Of course, we’ll need physicality but we’ll need a good all-round performance in every area."

The breakdown is likely to be key in deciding the game, with Ireland enjoying the fastest ruck ball in the tournament so far, averaging under three seconds per ruck.

But with South Africa having seven forwards on the bench, including jackal threats like Deon Fourie, Kwagga Smith and Marco van Staden, Van der Flier knows he and his teammates will have to