Both Paul Wallace and Keith Wood had previously been on a tour to South Africa with the British and Irish Lions in 1997.

Cape Town-born Dion O'Cuinneagain, had captained South Africa at both schoolboy and sevens level, before he switched allegiances.

A fourth debutant, Justin Bishop, scored a try while Eric Elwood added a conversion and two penalties.

[3] Many predicted South Africa, who were wearing white jerseys due to the colour clash with Ireland's green jumper, to win their first test match of the season comfortably.

[5] The Springboks had to make one change to their line-up for the second test in Pretoria, with Gaffie du Toit unavailable due to a rib injury and replaced by Franco Smith.