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Conor Murray says Ireland can clinch historic series win over Springboks

South Africa flanker Siya Kolisi (R) is tackled by Conor Murray during the second Test at Ellis Park
Image: Conor Murray tackles Siya Kolisi during Saturday's second Test at Ellis Park

Conor Murray says Ireland will be driven by the anger of letting a series-clinching victory slip through their grasp when they take on South Africa in Saturday's deciding test in Port Elizabeth.

Having beaten the Springboks in South Africa for the first time in the first Test, Ireland held a 16-point lead in Johannesburg before being steamrolled by the hosts in the final 20 minutes.

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"I think we're really angry at ourselves. We can right the wrongs this weekend," said Murray said of the 32-26 defeat at Ellis Park.

"We ended up standing off the South Africans and soaking a few tackles, which gave them front-foot ball and allowed them to get into their rhythm.

We definitely believe we can do it. We've just got to stay tight, stay together.
Conor Murray

"The atmosphere in camp is one of annoyance and that we left things out there. You can feel it around the place. People are hungry to get training and just go ahead, which is good.

"I think we could have snatched it at the weekend, so I think there's such motivation there, genuinely.

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"We definitely believe we can do it. We've just got to stay tight, stay together. It's our last game of the season and it's a massive one. We've just got to give it everything.

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"This a chance at history, it would have been unbelievable to have won at Ellis Park and it's very disappointing the way it ended, but we've got a chance now to win a series in South Africa which is very, very difficult and very, very rare."

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Watch highlights of Ireland's dramatic defeat to the Springboks in Johannesburg

Murray, who is expected to win his 50th cap in Port Elizabeth, says the bruising tour at the end of a long season for Ireland would serve the team well when they next play at the end of the year.

"I don't think I've ever learnt more on a tour or with a group of lads," he said.

"For young lads coming in and guys who have been around for a while, it's been a great growing experience. We've been understanding how to play Test rugby in tough environments."   

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