Murray: We're not here for one win

06/30/2024 02:22 AM

Test centurion Conor Murray says Ireland are in South Africa hunting a clean sweep of the Springboks in a two-Test series that kicks off with a showdown at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Murray is one of a handful of survivors from Ireland’s previous three-Test tour to the Republic in 2016. Though Ireland lost the series 2-1, they stunned the Boks in the Newlands opener with their maiden win in South Africa, despite being reduced to 14 men.

“To do that in the first Test was really exciting. We played two more games and we had chances,” 116-cap Murray told Sunday newspaper Rapport.

“We played them next in Johannesburg and went down in the last 20 minutes, which you can put down to the altitude, or whatever, so that’s something to be aware of. We definitely had chances for a series win in the third game in Port Elizabeth.

“To be able to win (in 2016) is special. But where this group is now, one win is not the end goal.”

Murray played under Rassie Erasmus when the Springbok coach was in charge of Munster in 2016 and 2017, and the 35-year-old singled out the coach’s qualities that stood out to him.

“It was great playing under him,” Murray said. “He is a tough coach, someone who demands a lot from his players. He has an aura of authority… a little fear. For me these are good things, which will get the most out of players.

“I respect Rassie. He did a great job when he was with us at Munster. His record after that speaks for itself. People like to talk about the things he said, but he’s won two World Cups now.”

Photo: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images

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