South Africa haven't beaten Ireland at home in almost a decade and Munster's Bok recruit, Jean de Villiers believes SA's all-conquering generation will be striving to tick that elusive box on the long list of triumphs.

De Villiers, South Africa's most capped centre, watched the Boks lose a bruising encounter with France on television only months after helping them to a Lions series win and he believes Ireland are now seen as a major scalp because of their continued improvement this decade.

"The majority of the Springbok team has never beaten Ireland here. When you look back on your career in years to come you want to tick through the boxes. The guys have won the World Cup, a Lions series, Tri-Nations and winning here will stick out for sure. It will be a big priority for the guys and one that will motivate them when they hit Croke Park," the former Stormers skipper told the Tribune.

The veteran of 54 caps for South Africa knows the games against Italy and Ireland are crucial to pick up decisive wins and to stave off the inevitable questions that will arise about a team possibly on the decline.

"Another defeat and people will start asking 'Are these guys past their best?' You can't be the best team forever and once you get to the top, it is even harder to stay there. They guys are aware of that and will be looking to finish the tour strongly," he stressed.

De Villiers highlighted Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney as Ireland's two form players, having played against them during the Lions tour.

"Someone that really impressed me was Tommy Bowe and his all-round game. I had not seen much of him prior to that series and he really came to the fore. I thought he played well against the Aussies too. Rob Kearney had an absolutely fantastic tour and was immaculate out of the air. He was another stand out player for me."

The 2008 South African Player of the Year admits that it took him a few games to settle into his Munster career, despite scoring a few tries thus far and he expects himself and his teammates to up their performance levels ahead of crucial games in the Magners League and Heineken Cup.

He will be joined next month by Cheetahs prop Wian du Preez, who was signed on a three-month contract after injuries hit a number of the Munster forwards. Du Preez will be a welcome addition to the squad and will provide him with some back-up in the regular South Hemisphere slanging bouts.

"For now, my goal is to make a success of my time in Munster. Maybe next year I will extend my contract or go back to South Africa and focus on the next World Cup but I'm not thinking that far ahead."

"The reason why I came over was that there were no South Africans at Munster so the move would take me out of my comfort zone. But, it should be easier for me when Wian arrives as the Aussies and Kiwis won't be picking on me any more."