Nick Mallett | Springboks have nous to land huge Irish blow in must-watch game

Saturday night in Saint-Denis will be a marvellous spectacle, a clash this World Cup has been eagerly anticipating: the best attacking side in the world taking on the best defensive one. And if the Springboks get it right, they'll land a huge blow, writes Nick Mallett.

One of the immense joys to emerge from this week's build-up to what will be an epic showdown between the Springboks and Ireland at the atmospheric Stade de France on Saturday night was the unwavering faith shown by both head coaches in their respective game-plans. 

First, we saw Jacques Nienaber (and by extension Rassie Erasmus) throw down the gauntlet in selecting a hotly debated 7-1 bench split and then, thrillingly, also witness Irish mentor Andy Farrell return the favour by sticking to his preferred 5-3 philosophy.