The absence of a raft of players will not be used as an excuse by Victor Matfield, the Springbok captain said on Tuesday.

"It is not easy, but we are international players and we need to be ready to adapt and take it as it comes," said Matfield.

The Boks have been hit hardest in the midfield, and may possibly have none of their first-choice centres available for their opening match on Saturday.

Subsequently selecting a back-line for Saturday's Test against Ireland may still give Springbok coach Peter de Villiers a few sleepless nights.

"This is what happens to me, last year it was all the locks, the year before it was the hookers and props and then Bryan (Habana) and JP (Pietersen) at the same time and now the centres, so we will have to give the new guys a chance to step up to the plate and show the call on them was justified," said De Villiers.

"We will have to make the best of a bad situation, but it is pleasing to see the positive attitude with which the players approached our training sessions.

"We have a lot of guys that can play in more than one position so now it will be about sitting down with that headache to see what will be the right combinations for this game."

Matfield admitted that the injury woes at centre complicated matters in training, but he insisted that there was enough depth of talent in the squad.

"It is always tough when there are injuries, especially when it is as late they have been, and we are still waiting for two guys, but I still think we have a great squad here," Mafield said.

Having last won a match against the Irish in 2004, the Springboks have a point to prove and indications are that the younger men will be called into action to end the drought.

"There are a lot of young players coming through as well as in-form players that are in the squad at the moment," the veteran lock explained.

"So, we are looking forward to the challenge and we know it is going to be tough in Ireland, but we believe in what we are doing and we believe that we can go out and do well there."

The lock, who is set to equal John Smit's record of the most Test caps for a Springbok forward - 102 - was also quick to counter criticism that the team's late departure would count in Ireland's favour.

"I think we've done it before with this team. We went to Perth and won that game as well when we only travelled through on the Wednesday," he said.

"It is not a first time for us and there are also no time zones, so the guys will sleep on the flight, enjoy a day off the next day and then on Friday it will be the captain's run and the guys will be focused and ready for the game."

Sharks flank Willem Alberts (calf) was also absent at Tuesday's practice session and a call on his - and Jean de Villiers' availability - will be made on Thursday when the team is announced.