Tour Diary – Making A Splash

The contrast with Cape Town is stark, not least the cold and drizzly day, as the Ireland squad settles into the mini city that is Sandton in Johannesburg. Swimming, meetings, the Euros and the hearing form the backdrop to the day.

In the incredible surroundings of Sandton City, the day kicks off with breakfast and the support and good wishes are still coming after the win over the Springboks last Saturday.
 

The starting XV head off for a pool recovery session – a chance to stretch out sore muscles and ease their way back into training.

Tunes are always important no matter where the lads are heading to:

 

The pool session workout proves to be functional as well as fun and with Ireland physios James Allen and Keith Fox on hand as the lads go through the workout before the inevitable splashing begins!

The rest of the squad are off to the gym for a strength session, working hard to make the extra gains that may push them into the team line-up.

After lunch, there is a media session for Andrew Trimble, who gives an update on how everyone is feeling after Ireland’s first ever victory on South African soil..

 

The whole squad then have a walk-through session, focusing on what they will work on for the week leading up to the second Test at Ellis Park next Saturday (kick-off 5pm local time/4pm Irish time).

Having watched the GAWA lose to Poland on Sunday night, it is time to watch the ‘Boys In Green’ tonight. There are still meetings to be held and individual analysis to be done so the players catch updates as they go.
 

Throughout the day we await news on CJ Stander’s hearing. The news comes through just before 9pm local time that CJ will be available for the third Test in Port Elizabeth. He received a two-week suspension, reduced to one week for mitigating circumstances.

Tour Diary Week 1: Cape Town

Arrival In Cape Town – A warm welcome and a dip in the sea

Training Day – An intense session against an incredible backdrop

SharkCopter – A day of rest with great white sharks

Team Announcement Day – the team for the first test is announced

Captain’s Run And Coaching Kids – Last run-out in Newlands and a school coaching session

Match Day & History – Ireland beat the Springboks for the first time in South Africa

Travel Day – Farewell Cape Town, Hello Johannesburg

Tour Diary Week 2: Johannesburg

Making A Splash – A pool recovery session and watching the Euros