Springboks vs Ireland: Who will be favourites in Dublin?
The upcoming Springboks vs Ireland match in Dublin is a highly anticipated contest, with both teams showcasing impressive recent form and a storied rivalry. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP
Image: Phill Magakoe/AFP
As the highly anticipated clash between the Springboks and Ireland in Dublin on Saturday draws ever closer, it’s difficult to say which team is actually the favourite to come away victorious.
In their November internationals, Ireland thumped Australia and Japan in the last two weeks. However, they began their November run of Tests with a crushing 26-13 defeat to New Zealand in Chicago.
Since that defeat, the Irish have clearly been building towards the Springboks assignment, best demonstrated by last week’s 46-19 dismantling of the Wallabies in Dublin.
In contrast, the Springboks have been nothing short of incredible. They too brushed aside Japan in their opening fixture, but it was against France that their status as world champions was really underlined.
Springboks’ Resilience Shines Despite Red Cards, But Ireland Looms as a Challenge
Playing the second half with 14 men after a controversial red card for Lood de Jager, the Springboks produced a comeback for the ages to eventually win 32-17 for a scoreline that did not reflect the closely contested affair.
Then against Italy last week, the Springboks fielded a far more experimental side. Again, they were reduced to 14 men but this time in just the 12th minute of the clash. Franco Mostert received his marching orders for an even more contentious ‘dangerous tackle’.
It meant the Springboks, missing some of their biggest names, had to dig deep to overcome a highly motivated Italian outfit, and they did so with aplomb to run out 32-14 victors. With these results in mind, the form team you would argue is the Springboks. There’s just one problem: Ireland remain a bogey team for South Africa.
Ireland vs. Springboks: A 50/50 Test with Historic Rivalry and Recent Success
Ireland have won four of the last five Tests between the nations, and one of those wins for the Irish came during a group stage at the Rugby World Cup in 2023. That’s why, in Irish eyes, the Springboks are the current champions, but they were still unable to defeat Ireland.
Then you add in the fact that the Springboks have not beaten Ireland in Dublin since 2012. Of course, this is a rather different Springbok team to that of 13 years ago, with only Eben Etzebeth remaining from that side.
All things considered, in my humble opinion and to plant myself firmly on the fence, I think this Test is 50/50, and whoever triumphs won’t be a surprise.