Ireland v South Africa - Teams and Prediction

PREVIEW: South Africa touched down in Dublin this week with the weight of history on their shoulders, as Ireland prepare for another shot at toppling the reigning world champions at the Aviva Stadium.

The Springboks haven’t tasted victory in Dublin since 2012, leaving this as the final milestone Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has yet to clear as head coach.

With Ireland rediscovering their rhythm against Australia last week, Andy Farrell faced several significant selection decisions in the build-up to this clash.

A rivalry reborn

Few fixtures in world rugby carry as much narrative weight as Ireland versus South Africa. A century of meetings, shifting power balances, and fresh World Cup memories have combined to turn this contest into a stage where pride, history, and high stakes collide.

Both sides enter Saturday’s showdown on the back of commanding performances: Ireland’s dismantling of Australia, and South Africa’s resilience in seeing off Italy despite a second consecutive red card.

While South Africa still holds the historical advantage – 18 wins to Ireland’s nine, with one draw in their 28 encounters – the balance has undeniably shifted. Since 2004, Ireland have claimed nine of the last 14 meetings, signalling a genuine change in the dynamic.

Dublin feels like another defining chapter in the North–South struggle for supremacy.

Springbok lock RG Snyman will run out in his 50th test match, but will then have to make his way to the replacement bench from where he will act as an impact player at the stadium that he knows well.

It is fitting that this milestone will happen at the home of his club team, Leinster.

Erasmus made two changes from the side that beat France a fortnight ago by moving Canan Moodie from centre to wing, while Ruan Nortje dons the dreaded No.5 jersey in the place of Franco Mostert, and Kwagga Smith returns to the bench.

Erasmus said the Irish have certain strong points which cannot be ignored, like their mauls.

*Article continues below…

“They’re not easy to maul [against]. Stopping a maul is not always brute force. Sometimes it’s technically swinging around and outsmarting guys,” he said.

“It’s not always the big poach; it’s [Caelan] Doris doing really good technical things within the law.”

“The way the Irish system works is really great. Technically, a guy always gets better here. They study a lot, they’ve got mind-gym meetings, they know exactly what line-out call you’ll make and how to counter it.”

While the match-up has been described by the Irish media as the Springboks’ biggest Test on their end-of-year tour, Erasmus was hesitant to call it as such and explained what he would like out of the game.

“It is about the level of performance that we deliver in our fourteenth match of the season. We have been together since the beginning of June. To keep up the intensity and to keep emotions in check after big matches against the All Blacks and France, plus the drain of the red cards … that is the challenge.

“It would be great if we play very well, but if they also play well, it will be a close match. We would love to win in Dublin for the first time since I was involved, to cap off a good season.”

*Article continues below…

Farrell made four changes to the starting XV from last week’s record-breaking win over Australia by restoring the fit-again duo of Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose, as well as Andrew Porter and Bundee Aki.

As expected, Sam Prendergast has been retained at flyhalf after his eye-catching display off the bench against Japan and classy first hour against Australia.

Farrell said: “South Africa are the world champions and we know the challenge that awaits us this weekend.

“Whenever you face a top side, you know that you have to be on top of your game and that you will be tested, and we’ll look to build on the momentum from last weekend and approach the game positively.

Players to watch

For Ireland: Jack Conan is a dynamic No.8 with Lions experience; a powerful ball-carrier, relentless defender, and dependable leader for both Leinster and Ireland. The sharp-footed Tommy O’Brien excels on counter-attack, offers steady defensive assurance, and continues to grow in influence. And then there’s Caelan Doris, who is the heartbeat of the pack: superb in the line-out, rock-solid in defence, and a natural leader.

For South Africa: Pieter-Steph du Toit is a tireless flanker with an elite engine; twice World Player of the Year and the Springboks’ defensive linchpin. Among the backs, Cheslin Kolbe is a devastating threat in broken play, electric in wide channels, and lethal on turnover ball. Then Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu – a versatile, composed playmaker; clinical and inventive with a record-setting pedigree and growing tactical authority at flyhalf.

Prediction

Rugby365: South Africa by four points

Teams:

Ireland: 15 Mack Hansen, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (captain), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 James Ryan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Paddy McCarthy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Cian Prendergast, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Tom Farrell.

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Boan Venter.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Andre Esterhuizen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.

Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 17.40 (19.40 SAST, 17.40 GMT)
Expected weather: Light rain showers and light wind with a temperature around 7°C
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England) & Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)