Andy Farrell warns Ireland players as head coach to change ‘quite a bit’ for second Springboks Test

Ireland boss Andy Farrell insists that there will be “quite a bit” of change for the second Test against the Springboks in Durban.

World champions South Africa proved to be too strong for the second ranked side, earning a 27-20 victory at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Ireland were not blown away but they were clearly bettered by the Boks as Rassie Erasmus’ men went 1-0 up in a three-Test series.

‘Not being desperate’

Following the loss on Saturday, Farrell was asked what he will alter ahead of next weekend and the head coach responded: “Quite a bit actually. I suppose the main thing is attacking the game the way we want to do it and not being desperate just because we’ve lost this week.

“If that creeps in then you become even more ill-disciplined and I think discipline cost us.

“The penalty count wasn’t outrageous but the way we put pressure on ourselves and relieved pressure for them is what we need to address.”

10 of the weekend’s top performers including a ‘gladiatorial’ Springbok and a ‘classy’ Englishman

Farrell could well alter personnel but it appears as through the Ireland head coach is more focused on improving the tactical and technical side of the game.

“There are some great learnings from the first half that we put right in the second half,” he said.

“We were still not clinical enough when we had chances, certainly on the Springboks’ line. You’ve got to convert in big games like this.

“If you put things like that right, we were still in the game so that says to you that we’ve got a chance.”

Craig Casey update

One player who is highly unlikely to take part in the second Test is scrum-half Craig Casey, who was stretchered off with a head injury on Saturday.

Casey appeared to be out cold for a while after a tackle from RG Snyman and Farrell gave an update on his condition.

“He was still on the trolley when I came in at the end of the game so they (medical staff) were concerned enough but he’s up and walking around,” he said. “He’s not quite himself yet but he’s up and about.”

READ MORE: Springboks v Ireland: Five takeaways as Rassie Erasmus breaks duck