AT 31 AND 30 respectively, Bryan Habana and Tommy Bowe are certainly not the youngest of wings in the international game, but both will be keen to stamp their authority and experience on the back three battle in Dublin on Saturday.
Springbok Habana was in excellent form during the 2014 Rugby Championship, particularly on the occasions when Heyneke Meyer’s side attacked ambitiously with ball in hand.
Physically too, the Toulon wide man has been exceptional in recent times, using his pace to get into strong defensive positions, winning collisions and even stripping the ball from opposition carriers in contact.
Bowe, who is likely to line up opposite Habana at the Aviva Stadium this weekend, has been as impressed with Habana’s consistent form for club and country.
He’s an intelligent player,” says Bowe. “He’s obviously got the physical attributes, incredibly quick, good hands. I think he’s smart, he sniffs out opportunities.
“I think people might think it is lucky that you are in the right place at the right time to sniff out tries. It takes brains to be in the right place and know where the ball is going to be; he’s made a living out of it. He’s a smart player in attack and defence.”
Habana played a somewhat limited role in Toulon’s Top 14 and Heineken Cup successes last season, but there is no denying that this has been a superb last year for the former Stormer.
Bowe’s most recent appearance for Ireland came on 24 November, 2013, when he started in the infamous defeat to New Zealand. Injuries have frustrated ever since, as he missed the 2014 Six Nations success, and now Bowe is keen to make up for lost time under Joe Schmidt.
I feel great to be back involved again. I’m glad to be back in camp, back in the environment. It’s difficult obviously having missed the Six Nations and missed the summer tour last year.
“It’s hard to watch whenever you are at home. You want to be there. I just enjoy being back here and will hopefully be involved this weekend; look to try and impose myself on the game.”
Habana will not be the only threat to occupy Bowe out wide this weekend, with Cornal Hendricks, Willie le Roux and JP Pietersen offering Meyer more quality in his back three.
An increased focus on playing with width has meant the Springboks are providing those speed merchants with more opportunities than at times in the past.
“Yeah, I think that they play quite a lot more rugby,” agrees Bowe. “They are obviously renowned as a hard, physical side; they rely on bullying teams. This time round they have shown with the likes of Hendricks, le Roux, Pietersen, these guys can run with the ball.”
Bowe also indicates the danger presented by Francois Hougaard in open play, with the Blue Bulls man likely to start at scrum-half. There is genuine counter-attacking threat in the Boks’ ranks, meaning Schmidt’s standard insistence on a highly aggressive kick chase will be essential again this weekend.
If you kick badly to them, give them time on the ball, that’s where they will punish you,” says Bowe. “They have players who can attack, run hard but they’re also not afraid to chip the ball in behind you. There are threats all over the pitch.
“I think our defensive line is going to have to be solid. Whenever you get to international rugby that’s a non-negotiable, and certainly against South Africa it’s going to have to be top notch.”
