Springboks vs. Ireland '25: 5 Things To Know About The Modern Rivalry Match
Springboks vs. Ireland '25: 5 Things To Know About The Modern Rivalry Match
Here's a preview of this week's Ireland vs. South Africa match: kickoff time, key stats, players to watch and what to expect from this Aviva Stadium test.
Ireland hosts South Africa at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Nov. 22 for Week 4 of the Autumn Nations Series.
Kickoff is set for 12:40 p.m. ET, with coverage on Peacock in the USA.
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Both squads enter in outstanding form.
South Africa is riding a six-game winning streak, most recently topping Italy 32-12. Ireland is coming off a commanding 46-19 performance against Australia.
With elite talent on both rosters and a rivalry increasingly defined by fine margins, this test promises to be one of the highlights of the autumn schedule.
A Modern Ireland–South Africa Rivalry Defined By Tight Scorelines
Although the Springboks have historically led the series, the dynamic has shifted dramatically this century.
Ireland has come out on top in nine of the last 14 clashes, and 11 of those games were settled by seven points or fewer, including every meeting since 2022.
Their 2023 World Cup showdown, where Ireland beat the reigning champions 13-8 in Paris, cemented the rivalry’s current edge.
South Africa still holds the overall advantage at 19 wins to Ireland’s 10, plus one draw, but recent history shows a far more even contest.
Both Teams Are Dominant Statistically In The 2025 Test Season
Ireland and South Africa enter this match operating at near-peak efficiency.
Each side averages more than five tries per game in 2025 and ranks among Tier 1 nations’ best in terms of preventing tries.
Ireland’s home form is imposing, winning 25 of its last 27 tests in Dublin.
Meanwhile, the Springboks have pieced together a nine-match unbeaten run in Europe, alongside six consecutive victories overall, many by comfortable margins.
These numbers set the stage for a high-quality test shaped by elite attack and stingy defense.
Ireland And Springboks Stars Poised To Shape The Match
Several players are entering this contest in standout form.
For Ireland, Mack Hansen remains a major threat after scoring a hat trick against Australia and crossing in his last two matches versus the Boks.
Dan Sheehan continues to average over a try per 80 minutes, while forwards Caelan Doris and Jack Conan bring influence, leadership and heavy work at both breakdown and collision.
For South Africa, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu offers creativity and control at fly-half, Pieter-Steph du Toit delivers trademark defensive intensity and scrumhalf Grant Williams maintains an assists average of at least one per full match.
Springboks, Ireland Rugby Team Form: Last Five Matches
Springboks: 5-0
- Nov. 15 - vs. Italy: W 32-14
- Nov. 8 - vs. France: W 32-17
- Nov. 1 - vs. Japan: W 61-7
- Oct. 4 - vs. Argentina: W 29-27
- Sept. 27 - vs. Argentina: W 67-30
Ireland Rugby: 4-1
- Nov. 15 - vs. Australia: W 46-19
- Nov. 8 - vs. Japan: W 41-10
- Nov. 1 - vs. New Zealand: L 13-26
- July 12 - vs. Portugal: W 106-7
- July 5 - vs. Georgia: W 34-5
Springboks vs. Ireland Match History: Last Five Game Results
- July 13, 2024: RSA 24-25 IRE
- July 6, 2024: RSA 27-20 IRE
- Sept. 23, 2023: IRE 13–8 RSA
- Nov. 5, 2022: IRE 19–16 RSA
- Nov. 11, 2017: IRE 38–3 RSA
Autumn Nations Series Rugby Schedule 2025
Week 4 - Nov. 22-23
- Wales vs. New Zealand
- Ireland vs. South Africa
- France vs. Australia
- Italy vs. Chile
- Scotland vs. Tonga
- England vs. Argentina
Week 5 - Nov. 29
- Wales vs. South Africa
Latest World Rugby Rankings - Nov. 17, 2025
See the official rankings on World.Rugby here.
- South Africa – 93.06
- New Zealand – 90.33
- England – 89.09
- Ireland – 88.85
- France – 87.07
- Argentina – 85.30
- Australia – 81.69
- Fiji – 81.03
- Scotland – 80.22
- Italy – 78.98
- Georgia – 74.69
- Wales – 74.23
- Japan – 72.58
- Spain – 69.12
- Uruguay – 68.52
- USA – 68.26
- Samoa – 66.94
- Chile – 66.72
- Tonga – 66.66
- Portugal – 64.89
- Romania – 62.16
- Belgium – 61.81
- Hong Kong China – 59.61
- Canada – 58.85
- Zimbabwe – 58.80
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