What’s happening?
Ireland face South Africa in their final fixture of the Autumn Nations Series.
When and where?
The game kicks off at the Aviva Stadium at 5.40pm on Saturday.
Where can I catch the match?
The game will be televised live on RTÉ2 and TNT Sports 1. The Irish Times will also have live updates of all the action at the Aviva, followed by a match report, player ratings, reaction and analysis from our team of writers.
Are there any tickets available?
Tickets are unfortunately all sold out having gone on sale in July.
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Have the teams been named?
Both sides were announced on Thursday, with Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose returning to action for Ireland. There are also starts for Bundee Aki and Andrew Porter after both came off the bench last week against Australia.
IRELAND: Mack Hansen (Connacht); Tommy O’Brien (Leinster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht), James Lowe (Leinster); Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster); James Ryan (Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Munster); Ryan Baird (Leinster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster, capt).
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), Paddy McCarthy (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), Jack Conan (Leinster), Craig Casey (Munster), Jack Crowley (Munster), Tom Farrell (Munster).
SOUTH AFRICA: Damian Willemse (Stormers); Canan Moodie (Bulls), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath); Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Cobus Reinach (Stormers); Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Thomas du Toit (Bath); Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls); Siya Kolisi (Sharks, capt), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Wilco Louw (Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Grant Williams (Sharks), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners).
Ireland’s record win over Australian sets up Springboks clash perfectly
When did the sides last meet?
Ireland have faced South Africa on 30 occasions to date, taking 10 wins to the Springboks’ 19.
Their last meeting was during Ireland’s two-Test tour to South Africa in July 2024. After coming away from the opening game in Pretoria defeated 27-20, Ireland rallied to claim a one-point 25-24 win in Durban in the second.
Before that, it was the 2023 World Cup in France, where Ireland beat the eventual champions 13-8 when the sides met in Pool B.
How’s the form of late?
Ireland go into Saturday’s game riding the wave of a strong win over the Wallabies last time out. Add to that their victory over Japan the weekend prior and you’d think we have a band of very happy campers. However, such is the lore of Ireland v New Zealand, it feels like there’s still a cloud hanging over them since the loss at Soldier Field in their opening November international.
The Springboks, meanwhile, have been steamrolling their way through Europe, beating France 32-17 in Paris before last weekend’s 32-14 win over Italy in Turin.
A win for Ireland over the world number one side will turn this November series into an out-and-out success, All Blacks defeat be damned, while a loss could open the door to a winter of worry, giving oxygen to concerns over where this Ireland team is at midway through a World Cup cycle.
After retaining their Rugby Championship title last month, a win at the Aviva would leave South Africa one win away from a clean sweep from their November internationals, with a final Test against Wales to come on Saturday week. With the opportunity to send his side home with the bragging rights of both hemispheres, Rassie Erasmus won’t be lacking in motivation.
