The 1998 Ireland rugby union tour of South Africa was the team's third tour to the country, having previously visited in 1961 and 1981. 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. He made his senior international debut for Ireland in the 37–13 defeat against South Africa on 13 June 1998.Divided loyalties? Ireland's flanker was born in South Africa Justin Fitzpatrick and Trevor Brennan also made their senior international debuts in the same game. A fourth debutant, Justin Bishop, scored a try while Eric Elwood added a conversion and two penalties. South Africa won the series 2–0, but the series was marred by violence and ill-will between the two teams.
Non-international matches Scores and results list Ireland's points tally first. Opposing Team For Against Date VenueBoland Cavaliers 48 35 30 May 1998 Boland Stadium, Wellington, Western CapeSWD Eagles 20 27 3 June 1998 Outeniqua Park, George, Western CapeWestern Province 6 12 6 June 1998 Newlands, Cape TownGriquas 13 52 9 June 1998 Eclectic CGLeopards 26 18 16 June 1998 Olën Park, Potchefstroom, North West
Test matches First Test 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. While they eventually did so, the visitors competed admirably in the first half, trailing by only three points at half time, 13−10. The Springboks, who looked rusty in the first half, finally clicked in the second half and debutant winger Stefan Terblanche scored four tries.
FB 15Percy MontgomeryRW 14Stefan TerblancheOC 13Andre SnymanIC 12Pieter MullerLW 11Pieter RossouwFH 10Gaffie du Toit SH 9 Joost van der Westhuizen N8 8 Gary Teichmann (c)BF 7 Andre VenterOF 6 Rassie Erasmus RL 5 Mark Andrews LL 4 Krynauw OttoTP 3 Adrian Garvey HK 2 James Dalton LP 1 Ollie le Roux Replacements:FH 16Franco Smith WG 17McNeil HendricksHK 18Werner Swanepoel LK 19Andrew AitkenN8 20Bobby SkinstadPR 21Robbie Kempson HK 22Naka Drotské Coach: Nick Mallett FB 15Conor O'SheaRW 14Justin BishopOC 13Kevin Maggs IC 12Mark McCallLW 11Denis HickieFH 10Eric ElwoodSH 9 Conor McGuinnessN8 8 Victor CostelloOF 7 Andy Ward BF 6 Dion O'Cuinneagain RL 5 Paddy Johns (c)LL 4 Malcolm O'KellyTP 3 Paul WallaceHK 2 Keith Wood LP 1 Justin FitzpatrickReplacements:CT 16Rob Henderson FL 17Trevor Brennan LK 18Gabriel Fulcher LK 19David HumphreysFL 20Brian O'MearaSH 21Allen ClarkeFH 22Peter ClohessyCoach: Warren Gatland
Second Test 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. The Springboks completed a shut-out to seal the series and scored five tries in the process, but the match was a very spiteful one marred by numerous cynical incidents and brawls which eventually resulted in Springbok lock Krynauw Otto getting time in the sin bin.
FB 15Percy MontgomeryRW 14Stefan Terblanche OC 13Andre SnymanIC 12Pieter MullerLW 11Pieter RossouwFH 10Franco Smith SH 9 Joost van der Westhuizen N8 8 Gary Teichmann (c)BF 7 Andre VenterOF 6 Rassie Erasmus RL 5 Mark Andrews LL 4 Krynauw Otto TP 3 Adrian Garvey HK 2 James Dalton LP 1 Ollie le Roux Replacements:WG 16McNeil Hendricks PR 17Robbie Kempson HK 18Naka Drotské FL 19Andrew Aitken SH 20Werner Swanepoel FH 21Henry Honiball N8 22Bobby Skinstad Coach: Nick Mallett FB 15Conor O'SheaRW 14Justin BishopOC 13Kevin Maggs IC 12Mark McCallLW 11Denis Hickie FH 10Eric Elwood SH 9 Conor McGuinnessN8 8 Victor Costello OF 7 Andy Ward BF 6 Dion O'Cuinneagain RL 5 Paddy Johns (c)LL 4 Malcolm O'KellyTP 3 Paul WallaceHK 2 Keith Wood LP 1 Justin Fitzpatrick Replacements:FH 16David Humphreys CT 17Rob Henderson FL 18Trevor Brennan PR 19Peter Clohessy FL 20Brian O'MearaLK 21Gabriel FulcherFH 22Allen ClarkeCoach: Warren Gatland
Touring party Manager: Donal Lenihan Assistant Manager: Phil Danaher Coach: Warren Gatland Captain: Paddy Johns
Backs Jonny Bell (Northampton) Justin Bishop (London Irish) Ciaran Clarke (Terenure College RFC) Eric Elwood (Galwegians RFC) D. Hegarty (Terenure College RFC) Rob Henderson (London Wasps) Denis Hickie (St. Mary's College RFC) David Humphreys (London Irish) Killian Keane (Garryowen) Kevin Maggs (Bristol) Mark McCall (London Irish) Conor McGuinness (St. Mary's College RFC) Brian O'Meara (Cork Constitution) Conor O'Shea (London Irish) James Topping (Ballymena RFC) Richard Wallace (Saracens)
Forwards Trevor Brennan (Bective Rangers) Allen Clarke (Northampton) D. Clohessy (Young Munster) Peter Clohessy (Young Munster) David Corkery (Bristol) Reggie Corrigan (Greystones RFC) Victor Costello (St. Mary's College RFC) Justin Fitzpatrick (London Irish) Anthony Foley (Shannon) Gabriel Fulcher (London Irish) Mick Galwey (Shannon) John Hayes (Shannon) Bernard Jackman (Clontarf) Paddy Johns (Saracens) Malcolm O'Kelly (London Irish) Dion O'Cuinneagain (Sale Sharks) David Wallace (Garryowen) Paul Wallace (Saracens) Andy Ward (Ballynahinch RFC) Keith Wood (NEC Harlequins)
References