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7th November 2014
12:30pm GMT

There is a familiar face in the Springbok midfield. My old team-mate Jean de Villiers was similar to many of the southern hemisphere players that signed for Munster over the years. A lot of them don't realise the game here is not the same as they are used to. There is not as much space; not as many breaks. They have that offloading side to their game that is not big here. It was the same with Christian Cullen - he ran off player's shoulders a lot. He was always looking for that pass and, when it worked, he would be away for a try. If it did not, he would be off, 20 yards ahead of our ruck. It may have taken a couple of months but De Villiers did well once he settled in. He is a fantastic player. 102 caps for South Africa and still going strong.
I was fortunate to get over for a try in the 32-15 win over South Africa in 2006 can still recall the 15-10 win at Croke Park three years later. Paulie O'Connell had been working closely with our forwards coach Gert Smal and had crammed up on basic Afrikaans and their numbers. He was able to break their system and disrupt them for a while. Eventually, they took to huddling together and making the calls in the middle.
Looking at the Ireland starting fifteen and there is reason for optimism. They still have the second row and back row units intact. The lads in 8,9 and 10 are the same and are well used to each other's styles. Simon Zebo is one of the form wingers in world rugby and we all know what Tommy Bowe can do.
South Africa's players are coming to the end of a long year but are in great form after coming straight from The Rugby Championship, a hotbed of competition. Ireland haven't been together as a first-choice squad since the Six Nations as a few key players did not tour Argentina.
When I add it all up, I am leaning towards an Ireland win. Whenever they play at home they stand an excellent chance. With so many of the vital units in good shape, Ireland can get the job done.Explore more on these topics: