South Africa vs Ireland: Time for talk over as world's top two renew rivalry (2024)

Published

6 July 2024

South Africa v Ireland first Test

Date: Saturday, 6 July Kick-off: 16:00 BST Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria

Coverage: Live text updates, match report & reaction on BBC Sport website & app

Much has changed in the 10 months since Ireland claimed a captivating World Cup win over South Africa on a memorable night inside the Stade de France.

That night, as unofficial Irish anthem Zombie filled the iconic Paris venue and the men in green basked in what seemed a significant triumph, it felt like history was afoot for Ireland.

Grand Slam champions and the world's number one side, many predicted that Ireland's long-awaited ascension to world champion status was mere weeks away.

Such forecasts were badly wide of the mark, of course. After Ireland were forced to endure another harrowing quarter-final exit at the hands of the All Blacks, South Africa beat France, England and New Zealand to reaffirm their position as rugby's dominant global force.

It stung Ireland, and while they defended their Six Nations title earlier this year, it feels as though Andy Farrell's side have travelled to South Africa for a two-Test series with a point to prove.

Even at the end of a marathon season, this dust-up between the world's top two sides was always going to be blockbuster, and with South Africa having done their part to stoke the flames in the build-up, it promises to be another engrossing chapter in one of world rugby's fiercest rivalries.

The build-up to last year's World Cup meeting was respectful, with the edge reserved for Ireland's quarter-final with New Zealand, who were out to avenge their 2022 series defeat by Farrell's team.

But Damian de Allende and Eben Etzebeth both have attracted headlines in recent months, with De Allende - formerly of Munster - predicting Saturday's opener will be "almost like a war".

And last week, South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus - whose news conferences have been refreshingly loose and entertaining - predicted Farrell's starting line-up for Saturday's opening Test with a post on X (amusingly, at the time of writing, Erasmus follows just one account on that platform: the official Irish Rugby account).

He didn't see Farrell's curve-ball coming, though, with the Englishman handing Jamie Osborne a surprise debut at full-back and keeping Jimmy O'Brien - Erasmus' pick - on the bench.

Farrell, like his players before him, swerved an opportunity to engage in the pre-series psychological warfare, calling Erasmus' social media post "hilarious" and "brilliant".

Farrell, a master at giving little away in his media dealings, prefers to do his talking on the pitch. Whether he has the last word, though, will be up to the players.

It may be less than a year since the World Cup encounter, but there has since been significant personnel changes in both camps.

Jacques Nienaber, who led South Africa to the Webb Ellis Cup as head coach, is now in Ireland with Leinster. “Jacques phones me every night and tells me everything about Ireland," Erasmus joked last week.

Erasmus, of course, has an Irishman in his backroom team with 2009 Grand Slam winner Jerry Flannery having been installed as defence coach earlier this year.

Former New Zealand fly-half Tony Brown is another high-profile addition as attack coach, with South Africa's two-time World Cup winner Duane Vermeulen and former referee Jaco Peyper also involved.

There is continuity, too. Siya Kolisi, who captained both triumphant World Cup campaigns, continues in the role after speculation that Erasmus would promote a South Africa-based player (Kolisi now plays his club rugby with Racing 92 in France).

For South Africa fans, the sight of specialist goal-kicker Handre Pollard lining out in Pretoria will be reassuring. With Pollard injured for the World Cup match, which South Africa lost by five points, Manie Libbok and Faf de Klerk both missed two kicks off the tee.

Ireland's biggest change has come on the pitch. With Johnny Sexton having retired after the World Cup, Jack Crowley has stepped into the No.10 shirt.

Crowley impressed in the Six Nations and will have a familiar face alongside him with Munster team-mate Craig Casey selected at scrum-half, while uncapped Jamie Osborne gets a huge opportunity to impress at full-back.

But Ireland are shorn of some important men: Hugo Keenan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen. All three have been key cogs in the backline. While Farrell had been planning without Olympics-bound Keenan and the injured Hansen, who has not played since January, news of Gibson-Park's hamstring problem was a significant blow.

South Africa will be buoyed by Ireland's weakened backline and are likely to target Osborne given his lack of experience, both in the Test arena and at full-back. With the game at altitude, the Boks will pepper the 22-year-old with the kind of kicks Keenan often looks so assured under.

It seems Farrell's hand is weakened, but the Englishman has made a habit of getting the most out of what's available to him.

Like the New Zealand series in 2022, Ireland hope to secure a first series win against the Springboks on South African soil.

Ireland have beaten the Boks in the last three meetings, but winning in South Africa always requires a herculean effort. Ireland's only previous avictory in 10 attempts came in 2016 when they produced a spirited display to win 26-20 despite CJ Stander's 22nd-minute red card.

Indeed, South Africa are a mean unit in front of their home fans. They've won 11 of their past 13 home Tests. However, they were pushed all the way by Argentina 12 months ago, edging a Rugby Championship encounter 22-21 in Johannesburg.

While the triumph over the All Blacks two years ago was a three-Test series, besting the Springboks over the next two weeks will go down as another significant accomplishment for Farrell 12 months out from his debut as British and Irish Lions head coach.

It is a quick return to Pretoria for Ireland's healthy Leinster contingent, too. Last month, Leinster lost 25-20 to the Bulls in the URC semi-final, confirming a third straight trophy-less season for the Irish side.

Confronting the uncomfortable memories in Loftus Versfeld - and indeed a partisan Pretorian crowd - is part of the challenge as they enter the backyard of the world's number one side.

Related Topics