Mark Andrews – 1995 Rugby World Cup winner and one of South African rugby’s greatest locks – joins Martin Devlin on It’s Only Sport. The Springboks have their final pool game at the World Cup early Monday morning against Tonga, with a victory confirming their place in the knockout stage.
Mark Andrews chats to Martin about his former side’s defeat to Ireland last weekend and how concerning it is, the way he expects the Springboks to play with first-five Handrè Pollard coming back from injury, how far the All Blacks can go in the tournament, and more.
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36 Comments
All Blacks are the dark horses of this WC. Stage is set for the upset. Ritchie Mo for the win !!!
Coming from a South African here. I think the AB's are a wounded animal right now. We all know how dangerous a wounded animal can be. Its breaks me when I do not hear the pundits not on here but on other shows not even mention the AB's. Like are you kidding me, they are most successful rugby nation ever. I see most of the Northern Hemisphere people acting like the AB's wont even reach the final. The AB's will surprise everyone in the next 4 weeks.
I would just love to see France beat South Africa. They're the most arrogant rugby nation in the world, or at least their supporters are. I know they don't have much to celebrate in that God forsaken shithole of a country but you would think they're God's gift to humanity the way they go on. Oh and when they lose it's always someone elses' fault. We'll be supporting France..
Christ no respect for Ireland. Have SA ever lost without endless excuses? Endless salt – keep it coming lads – will never not enjoy Saffa tears.
Thought it was a massive risk playinh him as No 8 in the 95 final but he hung in there .A legend
Marx is a blow but part of winning a world cup is dealing with injuries. Government interference? What players in that Boks squad are not there on merit? This is Ireland's to lose especially if they dont have any injuries with key men coming back at the right time.
I think Marc Andrews watching clips of 1995 Ireland and Boks 😂😂😂😂
The level of disrespect toward Ireland from South Africans has gotten to delusional levels. This idiot seriously said that Ireland can't be physical for 4 games in a row. A side that has dominated teams like France, the ABs, SA and has club sides who regularly win or at the very least compete for titles every single year… what a total moron.
Mark Andrews are you intoxicated? The Irish fronted well but the Boks still dominated. Only at the breakdown were we beaten. Cmon dude. The Boks have another gear. Watch….
BOKS vs ABs final
Andrew's point regarding Ireland is valid but only for the Final. The run up to qtr finals has been perfect for them. Two warmup games in Romania and Tonga, then a bruiser against SA, then a two week rest, then Scotland(who are not a physical side) and then the AB's in the qtrs. They win that they could well face Wales in the Semi Final.
Had the privilege of meeting Mark. A mensch and a total legend. And a man mountain.
He completely talked down ireland this whole interview.. zero respect
Mark Andrews……arguably the best lock SA ever had, barring none. He was definitely the most intelligent, streetwise tight forward I can remember in my time. And this from a Blue Bulls supporter.
If Ireland face NZ in the QFs – it'll pretty much be a 50/50 game. Not that much between them. Whoever wins that should get to the final.
Apparently everyone else can play 4 weeks in a row but not Ireland. Saffas are very arrogant.
I wouldn’t write off the all blacks by any means, but Mark Andrews is full of shit if he thinks this is not an Irish team capable of handling physicality week after week. He engages in a lot of wishful thinking.
Biased BS.
The Irish knew they could take SA on. They'd already beaten them in the Autumn. No. The best team won on the day. It was an incredible Test match, in my opinion. Discipline in contact was superb. If they meet again? Who knows? Ifs and buts and maybes mean nothing. France lost N'tamack: not a problem, now Du Pont is out for a bit: not a problem. No, a team does not revolve around one or two players. Just watch Lucu, the French 9 explode onto RWC 2023 with Du Pont out just now. France have Captains in many positions, they will be the team to beat I believe.
I agree with everything Mark Andrews said.Pity he is not regularly on podcasts.I expect All Blacks to click into gear and would not at all be surprised if they go all the way.Always enjoy listening to your podcasts Martin🇿🇦
Mnombi is a massive liability in front row. Miss Marx big time. Monambi should have gone into squad 3 rd choice hooker….2nd choice hooker is sitting in South Africa and its not Dweba…he is not in the top 10 hooker sin SA.
AB's will take Ireland's lunch in the QF.
Ireland and SA could have played in a dress rehearsal for the final. It would be quite ironic if neither were in the final and quite possible too considering Ireland have never made it out of the quarterfinals and SA are playing the home team.
I really hope Ireland make it through the pool and make it to at least the semi finals. To put the chokers tag to bed once and for all…
But playing the All Blacks in the quarter final, again, is no easy task.
Most people are saying its s 50:50 toss up, and tbh, to say that we're finally the equals of the might All Blacks and Springboks, shows how far we have come, and a huge source of pride.
A lot of Irish fans very sensitive… Don't stress… You've got the best side in the world at the mo, and most bok fans respect the team and knew it was going to be tough. The quarters on our side of the draw are a lottery, may the best teams win👍
Ireland ranked number one atm.
Come quarter final time and we’ll see what happens when the Death Star shows up.
Love the positivity Mark! My goodness🤦🏻 Malcom is gone. Must we cry now? The boys will rise to the occasion.
Saffers just can't accept Ireland and what they've done.
If the Irish have broken their psychological duck about the QF's (and I think they have), I expect them to get past the AB's, Why? .. because they know they can. This Ireland team has surprised all of us at home in Ireland with their attitude and belief; In this regard they are totally unlike any previous Ireland team. Attitude, not arrogance. We have come up short of expectations so many times that Ireland will be well aware of, and will respect every team they meet. As for four weeks in a row … we went to NZ last year and won the last three fixtures of five in 18 days.
Why is he lying Pollard is 67% kicker
I am not a fan of England, but with a 50m drop kick they can win the RWC with negative game play. dropkick the whole game.
Underrated Legend
He sounds bitter….
South Africa Vs Wales final. Here first.
Coming from a South African. If there is one team that can turn things around in no time it's the AB's. The Boks are well aware of it. Look how they turned things around last year after losing convincingly at Mbombela and outplayed the Boks at Ellis Park. Also if the AB's face Ireland in the quarters it will be a revenge match. What better place for them to do it than in a world cup knockout match?
Mark was the template for Bakkies…..simple!!
My thoughts exactly about Marx.