Ireland's Andrew Trimble calls for final push against South Africa

Andrew Trimble (right) says Ireland were 'taught a lesson' by South Africa in the last 20 minutes of the second Test in Johannesburg

Andrew Trimble says 'knackered' Ireland must back up their first victory in South Africa and win again on Saturday to be rated as a top-tier Test nation.

The Ulster wing has urged the tired Irish not to dwell on the blow of losing the second Test in Johannesburg.

"It's important we get some perspective back and remember that we still have a great opportunity to create a bit of history," Trimble said.

"We want to become a side that backs it up and we haven't backed it up yet."

Irish recovering from bruising battle

Ireland were 20 minutes away from a series win at Ellis Park last weekend, but let a 16-point lead slip to lose the second Test and set up a decider in Port Elizabeth this Saturday.

The tourists have been recovering from the bruising nature of the 32-26 defeat as they enter the final leg of their season in their 17th and final Test match of a long season.

"We're pretty knackered," Trimble admitted.

"It was a tough battle out there, very physical and very fast.

"In the second half, we were just taking a lot of heat and a lot of punishment.

"Physically, we were by a long way, second best during that second half."

Andrew Trimble and his Irish team-mates were dejected after letting a 16-point lead slip in the second Test against South Africa

Trimble has not lost sight of the fact that the scenario remains the same a week on.

"We're aware that we can be a quality side and win Test matches. We can come to the southern hemisphere and win games, but there's no point in us talking about that, we need to prove that and back that talk up.

"We did that in Newlands, we showed an awful lot of character and dug in. We played some really good rugby that we're really proud of, but to be taken seriously, you need to back that up and we didn't do that at the weekend."

Both sides are named on Thursday, with South Africa coping without Duane Vermeulen, Trevor Nyakane, Lood de Jager and Patrick Lambie.

Ireland have lost Robbie Henshaw for the final Test, but they welcome CJ Stander back after his one-game ban. Jared Payne is understood to be a doubt for the decider.