Boks' Williams wary of Ireland chess master Gibson-Park

IRELAND’S talismanic scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park has been a thorn in the Springboks’ side for a number of years.

- JOHN GOLIATH

THE Springboks will be looking at scrumhalf Grant Williams to lift the tempo against Ireland on Saturday.

(AFP)

The Leinster No 9 has been central to Ireland’s rise under Andy Farrell, dictating tempo and providing the spark behind their high-paced attacking structure.

Gibson-Park is the chess master in their intricate way of playing. Ireland play an outcomes-based attacking game that is planned a few phases ahead to achieve the desired result. They create mismatches between backs and forwards and gaps on the inside or outside of the defensive line for their strike runners to cause the most damage.

Last year, during their two-match series in South Africa which ended in a drawn 1-1 series, Ireland managed to combat the Springboks’ famed rush defence with clever inside balls that caused a lot of chaos.

While Gibson-Park didn't feature because of injury, he is key to that strategy, with his speed to the breakdown, crisp delivery and ability to create space with his quick service.