It will be an emotional occasion for Ireland's under-20s when they face Fiji in today's make or break final World Rugby Championship pool game in Stellenbosch (12.30pm Irish time).
The Ireland players have been granted permission to wear black armbands to mark the tragic deaths of 18-year-olds Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall on the Greek island of Ios over the weekend, while they are also coming to terms with the death of Munster’s elite performance officer Greig Oliver, whose son Jack is in the U20 squad.
The teenagers had only recently finished school at St Michael's and six of Richie Murphy's under-20s squad attended the south Dublin rugby hotbed, while Oliver, a former Scotland international, died in a paragliding accident in South Africa.
Murphy, who was speaking before Oliver's death was announced on Monday, told of how "massively devastated" all in the Ireland camp are feeling after the deaths of the teenagers.
"I think the guys are definitely in a little bit of shock, very devastated obviously with what's happened," said Murphy.
"I think that's through the whole squad, obviously these guys know the young boys a lot better than some of the other members.
"Everyone is in the same sort of position where it's shock. We've our doctor on hand, he's looking after the guys.
"We've had a number of conversations with a couple of them and the guys were obviously very upset yesterday but definitely feeling a little bit better today and probably, not come to terms with it, but clarified what's happening in their heads."
Diarmuid Mangan, who skippers the side today, added: “A lot of lads in our squad would have known the two boys.
"I think everyone is just kind of trying to get around the lads and make sure they’re doing all right and they’re being picked up.
“It’s obviously an awful tragedy and we offer our condolences to the two families.”
Against that backdrop, Ireland will attempt to win through to the semi-finals on Saturday having drawn with England in their pool opener, then managed to get the winning bonus point on offer late on against Australia.
England and Australia are also facing each other, and England have the advantage of not kicking off until half an hour later so will know Ireland's situation.
Nevertheless Murphy's squad know they are in a strong position to make the last four - as the best placed runner-up, if not the pool winner.
Ireland, the back to back Grand Slam champions, were due to play at Paarl Gymnasium again but given the condition of the pitch after hosting a number of games in wet weather, the fixture has been moved to Danie Craven stadium.
"We're hoping we won't be playing in a mudheap," admitted Murphy, who has rotated heavily by making 11 changes from the Australia game, with out-half Sam Prendergast among the regulars picked for a loaded bench.
Meanwhile, James McNabney, Rory Telfer and Hugh Cooney are all suspended.
"We've seen the stadium on TV. Obviously Fiji have played two of their games there so it's probably a little bit of an advantage for them in relation to that.
"The pitch seems to be a hell of a lot drier which I think will have a decent effect on us. It'll give us a little bit of a bounce to be not trawling through that heavy, heavy surface that's in Paarl.
"We're looking forward to getting there. You have to be adaptable and we've talked about this all the way through the season, not just the World Cup. This is just part of a young rugby player's development.
"It's a really good test for them if they can park the bits and pieces that are going on in their lives in relation to changing venues and go out and give a performance on the pitch."
