CJ Stander believes South Africa have dismissed Ireland's chances in the June Test
Monday 21 March 2016 15:58, UK
Ireland forward CJ Stander believes the team's chances of winning the three-Test tour of South Africa have been dismissed by the host nation.
The South Africa-born player revealed the Springboks are extremely confident of success following Ireland's poor showing in the Six Nations.
The 2014 and 2015 Six Nations champions had to settle for third place this year after winning just two from five matches, following a frustrating World Cup quarter-final exit to Argentina last autumn.
Stander left his native South Africa for Munster in 2012 after being told he was too small to play back-row for the Springboks, and now believes Ireland must battle home expectations on tour this summer.
"I have the family in South Africa, and they keep me up to date with what's going on there," said Stander.
"They are writing us off over there because of a few losses here and there, and because we weren't chasing the Six Nations title.
"In your head going down to South Africa it's going to be a big challenge, you're going to have to be very physical, they are big boys.
"They are a great team, and everyone knows that. But if you're written off and categorised as the underdogs, then that's always something extra to fight for, to prove that wrong.
"So there's both sides to the story."
