Ireland and South Africa collide as the Springboks seek a first win in Dublin under Rassie Erasmus.
The back-to-back world champions have conquered just about every shore under their head coach over the last seven years but are yet to beat Ireland in Ireland, and were also beaten in the pool stages of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Paris. South Africa have shown their strength and depth in the last two weeks as red cards were overcome against France and Italy, but know that Ireland will provide another stiff challenge as they near the end of a long year of international action.
This feels a big day for the hosts, too, as they bid to disprove a few assumptions over an ageing side. Can Andy Farrell’s squad still match it with the best teams in the world? There is a renewed sense of optimism around them after an encouraging performance against Australia, with Sam Prendergast backed again at fly half for this tussle.
Follow all of the latest from the Quilter Nations Series clash with our live blog below:
Ireland vs South Africa live
- Ireland host South Africa in the Quilter Nations Series | Live on TNT Sports
- Springboks have not won in Dublin under Rassie Erasmus
- TRY! Ireland 0-5 SOUTH AFRICA (Damian Willemse, 5 minutes)
- RED CARD! James Ryan is sent off! Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 27 minutes
- TRY! Ireland 0-12 SOUTH AFRICA (Cobus Reinach, 35 minutes)
- TRY! IRELAND 7-12 South Africa (Dan Sheehan, 38 minutes)
- PENALTY TRY! Ireland 7-19 SOUTH AFRICA (44 minutes)
Second half...
18:58 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe players are back out there. Boos as referee Matthew Carley re-emerges after them. Not sure a well-lubricated Dublin crowd quite agreed with his assessments in the first half.
Mack Hansen restarts play with both Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley still off.
HT: Ireland 7-19 South Africa
18:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt is only 12 points, to be fair. But how Ireland may rue that stupid Jack Crowley grope of the arm of Cobus Reinach just as Cian Prendergast was about to come on for the dismissed James Ryan. It was 12-7 at that stage and it felt like Ireland had some momentum after Dan Sheehan had punched over.
An hour-long first-half ends with a Springboks penalty try and Ireland down to 12 players 😮
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 22, 2025
Boos ring out around the stadium as the teams head off.
It’s all happening in Dublin! 💥 pic.twitter.com/PqQRhiqNpU
HT: Ireland 7-19 South Africa
18:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleIrish fans may wonder, of course, why Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was not sent to the sin bin early on after what appeared a no-arms tackle on Tommy O’Brien. As it is, they’ve lost the wing as well after he came off far worse in his own high tackle on Canan Moodie and presumably failed an HIA. Carnage.
HT: Ireland 7-19 South Africa
18:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhere to even begin? Four tries, four cards, one of them red and three of them yellow - and a Springboks lead that feels pretty convincing given the chaos Ireland are enduring. Andy Farrell’s side are probably lucky that Matthew Carley looked kindly upon them at that last scrum, with a penalty try usually drawing a definite card if the infringing player can be identified. Still, though, they remain down to 12 men.
HALF TIME: Ireland 7-19 South Africa
18:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle PENALTY TRY! Ireland 7-19 SOUTH AFRICA (44 minutes)
18:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe scrum marches to the line and Matthew Carley decides he has no option but to award a penalty try! There are so many Irishmen at fault that he spares them the ignominy of another yellow card but to a chorus of boos the players depart with South Africa seven more points to the good.
YELLOW CARD! Andrew Porter is sent to the sin bin! Ireland 7-12 South Africa, 43 minutes
18:42 , Harry Latham-CoyleIreland are down to 12 men! The new Springbok props have the desired impact and a THIRD yellow card is shown.
Andrew Porter the man pinged; referee Matthew Carley tells Caelan Doris it was the fourth scrum in a row at which he had infringed. Paddy McCarthy will have to come on, with Josh van der Flier sacrificed.
Ireland 7-12 South Africa, 41 minutes
18:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother Irish infringement at the lineout. South Africa strengthen before they scrum again - Gerhard Steenekamp and Wilco Louw replace Boan Venter and Thomas du Toit as Cobus Reinach prepares to feed. Not what this Irish eight will want to see.
There’s so much space out there with Ireland short of two backs...
YELLOW CARD! Jack Crowley is sent to the sin bin! Ireland 7-12 South Africa, 39 minutes
18:39 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhat is Jack Crowley doing? Cynical and quite frankly stupid from the replacement fly half, who is rightly sent to the sin bin.
The good news for Ireland is that James Ryan’s 20-minute red has elapsed; Cian Prendergast comes on. The bad news? They are still down to 13 and South Africa will throw a lineout seven metres from their line.
Ireland 7-12 South Africa, 39 minutes
18:37 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat really was quite something from Ireland, showing all of the character they’ve developed over the last few years under Andy Farrell. Now they just need to get to half time to recharge. A Cobus Reinach knock-on should help them there - or maybe not! Was there a stray Irish hand reaching through the ruck?
TRY! IRELAND 7-12 South Africa (Dan Sheehan, 38 minutes)
18:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleYou bet there is! Some riposte from Ireland, a simply superb take at the tail from Ryan Baird setting up a meaty maul and then Josh van der Flier lumbering the ball on like a runaway locomotive.
Jamison Gibson-Park picks the right runner, as he so often does, and Dan Sheehan gets Ireland on the board. How they needed that!
Ireland 0-12 South Africa, 37 minutes
18:34 , Harry Latham-CoyleJosh van der Flier wins a crucial turnover on halfway and Ireland kick down into the Springboks 22. Is there a response?
Ireland 0-12 South Africa, 35 minutes
18:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleJack Crowley, now steering an Ireland side down to 13 players for the next five minutes or so, restarts proceedings.
TRY! Ireland 0-12 SOUTH AFRICA (Cobus Reinach, 35 minutes)
18:32 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe hinges are broken and Cobus Reinach gleefully gambols in! Too much pressure for Ireland to handle and the Springboks scrum half darts through a gap adjacent to the ruck.
Bad to worse for Ireland - and there’s more difficult news. Sam Prendergast is sent to the sin bin having been offside in that passage, paying for the accumulation of penalties.
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 34 minutes
18:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe arm is out - but South Africa’s way. And again, Ireland’s discipline letting them down as the Springboks bash on the door...
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 32 minutes
18:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleTadhg Furlong is furious - he thinks he had an edge on Boan Venter at the latest scrummaging skirmish but the officials call for a reset. Massive moments, these - a penalty for Ireland here would be huge.
Penalty only! Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 31 minutes
18:28 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe fact that O’Brien so significantly lost that collision has helped him out - it’s a penalty only, despite head contact, with some of the force through the chest and O’Brien passive in the tackle.
Still eight minutes to run on the 20-minute red card for James Ryan, and Ireland’s props have also now been warned for their scrum conduct. Unsurprisingly, Siya Kolisi calls for another set piece as O’Brien is taken off for an HIA - Jack Crowley is hastily stripped off and sent on. That presumably means Mack Hansen will go to the wing.
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 31 minutes
18:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleOuch! A penalty against Ireland at the scrum and then a really worrying one for Tommy O’Brien, high in a tackle on a rampaging Canan Moodie and coming off far worse. O’Brien stays down for some treatment; the officials gather to discuss if his tackle attempt merits sanction...
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 29 minutes
18:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Springboks munch Ireland at scrum time. Penalty, kick to the corner - can Ireland quell them? Only illegally. Another penalty.
RED CARD! James Ryan is sent off! Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 27 minutes
18:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleNews from the bunker - James Ryan’s yellow card has been UPGRADED and the lock will play no further part.
A 20-minute red card for the lock, which always looked likely after he speared himself into the chin of Malcolm Marx.
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 27 minutes
18:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe won’t be describing Bundee Aki as a hybrid player just yet but the centre fills in pretty well in the back row with Ireland’s pack short a man.
Damian Willemse brilliantly claims a high hoist and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s follow-up kick is briefly threatening, but skews infield enough for Mack Hansen to gather and ground.
NO TRY! Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 26 minutes
18:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt was. Try chalked off after a brief review of the footage by referee Matthew Carley. Serious power though from Wiese, though, to force into space, but he couldn’t quite work his arms out in time to get a licit offload away.
Try? Ireland 0-10 South Africa, 26 minutes
18:17 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Springboks strike! Or do they! Boan Venter punches over from close range after Jasper Wiese’s half-break had set up Ruan Nortje to lumber on, but was the No 8’s toss to the lock forward?
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 25 minutes
18:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleIreland just need to calm themselves. Mack Hansen does very well in the air under pressure but Tommy O’Brien lets him down with an errant kick that sails straight out. The pressure does not relent.
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 23 minutes
18:14 , Harry Latham-CoyleIreland need their big players to stand up at this juncture, and Tadhg Beirne does exactly that, fighting through a maul and snatching the ball. James Ryan peers on from the naughty step as he awaits his fate with FPRO Dan Jones still deliberating.
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 22 minutes
18:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis feels a crucial period for Ireland. The Springboks have the capacity to surge when a man up with their balance of pace, power and playmaking. That’s a good initial effort - Mack Hansen goes all Pat Jennings to palm away Damian Willemse’s grubber. It will be South Africa’s lineout 25 metres out, though.
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 21 minutes
18:12 , Harry Latham-CoyleError on error for Ireland. The Springboks miss touch but get a lineout anyway as Sam Prendergast puts his return punt out on the full. Sloppy from the young fly half after that relatively simple miss from the tee.
YELLOW CARD! James Ryan is sent to the sin bin! Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 20 minutes
18:11 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s a yellow at least - James Ryan is sent to the sin bin and that will be looked at by the foul play review officer in the bunker. It could well be upgraded - the contact was only glancing but there was a hit to the head and no wrap.
NO TRY! Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 20 minutes
18:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleOh dear. Oh dear, oh dear. This is not good at all from James Ryan, launching a shoulder into Malcolm Marx. The try won’t stand, but what is the sanction?
Try? Ireland 5-5 South Africa, 20 minutes
18:09 , Harry Latham-CoyleTadhg Beirne crashes over but will it stand? The big lock was unstoppable from close range but a clearout by second row partner James Ryan on Malcolm Marx requires further investigation...
Missed penalty! Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 19 minutes
18:08 , Harry Latham-CoyleOff the upright! Sam Prendergast slams it against the woodwork but James Lowe chases well and collects 10 metres out.
Ireland on the attack.
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 18 minutes
18:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleAgain those Irish lineout woes reappear, though. Eben Etebeth slaps possession away, though Dan Sheehan will get another go as the Springboks are thereafter forced into touch.
On the number this time. And advantage, too, for Ireland - though Sam Prendergast’s limp kick isn’t the way to take it.
An interesting call now with this penalty about 20 metres in from the touchline. Posts or corner? The former.
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 16 minutes
18:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleReinach’s next effort is better. South Africa are offside at the resultant ruck, though.
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 14 minutes
18:04 , Harry Latham-CoyleIreland are in no mood to dilly-dally at the scrum, in and out in a flash with Caelan Doris pickpocket-like as he extracts in an instant.
Ireland kick the ball away, happy to let the Springboks have it deeper in their half. They put a bit of ruck pressure on, and then another skew comes from Cobus Reinach. The Springboks’ half-backs haven’t quite got their kicking right yet, though Reinach’s mates do manage to gather his slice.
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 13 minutes
18:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa really are going hard at the breakdown, as they tend to. It may mean that there is space elsewhere if Ireland can generate quick ball but they are struggling to resource and recycle at the moment.
Jamison Gibson-Park’s box kick is knocked on by Damian Willemse.
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 11 minutes
18:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleAh, James Lowe. He tried his best to wait for Damian Willemse to come to floor after an up-and-under was claimed by the full-back but can’t quite avoid putting his hand in the mousetrap. Penalty South Africa.
That’s not Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s best, though. Sliced off the outside of the boot for little gain, like a high handicappers tee shot.
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 9 minutes
17:58 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa scramble a clearance away before the wobbly Irish lineout helps them out - not straight from Dan Sheehan, and a Springboks scrum. That Paul O’Connell drilled operation really hasn’t functioned well this year.
Du Toit and his mates in the visiting pack then go to work at the scrum. Penalty advantage earned. South Africa play and make 20 metres, and Matthew Carley deems that advantage over when Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu fumbles.
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 7 minutes
17:56 , Harry Latham-CoyleCan Ireland make the most of this position? They play away off the top of the lineout, perhaps surprisingly, and look to work something intricate. To the left, the back three together in unison...turned over! Tommy O’Brien punched to within a metre but Thomas du Toit snatches it on the floor with a superb jackal! What a player the tighthead is - such a complete prop.
Penalty only! Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 6 minutes
17:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle“We’re not convinced it is a no-arms tackle,” referee Matthew Carley concludes! Wow. He has, however, ruled that there is head contact, but the presence of a second tackler in Pieter-Steph du Toit and a significant drop in height means there is NO CARD for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
That feels a surprise after the decisions this autumn. Anyway. Both captains are warned about the handbags that followed before Ireland poke into the right corner.
TMO review! Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 6 minutes
17:54 , Harry Latham-CoyleHe is, you know - there’s no attempt to wrap from Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Where’s the contact? It looks like chest to me...
Ireland 0-5 South Africa, 6 minutes
17:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleHow do Ireland respond? Well, initially. An errant, skewed box kick from Cobus Reinach grants them possession and James Lowe then gives Cheslin Kolbe the big fend, sending the little wing - who does pack a punch - stumbling away with the hand-off.
Away to the right and Tommy O’Brien is bundled into touch - but were there arms in the tackle from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu? There’s a scuffle thereafter, and the fly half might be in a bit of bother...
TRY! Ireland 0-5 SOUTH AFRICA (Damian Willemse, 5 minutes)
17:51 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd the Springboks capitalise through Damian Willemse in the corner!
Superb from South Africa, striking with their first possession. It’s Damian de Allende who makes the initial bust, thundering through a jagged line and then offloading to Jasper Wiese. Cobus Reinach keeps the tempo high and Cheslin Kolbe shimmies into space, putting it through the hands thereafter to afford Willemse the space he needs to finish. The world champions are into their work in some style!
Ireland 0-0 South Africa, 4 minutes
17:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleA competitive first lineout for South Africa but Malcolm Marx just about finds his target at the tail. Advantage coming for the Springboks as the maul is collapsed...
Ireland 0-0 South Africa, 3 minutes
17:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleWallop! Have some of that, Andrew Porter, Malcolm Marx perhaps not the best choice of surface to run into. Jasper Wiese latches over the top and earns a jackal penalty.
Ireland 0-0 South Africa, 2 minutes
17:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleDown towards the Springboks 22 Sam Prendergast kicks. Dan Sheehan’s throw is over the top to Josh van der Flier, and Ireland go to work.
Ireland 0-0 South Africa, 1 minute
17:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleAmbition immediately from Ireland. Jamison Gibson-Park loops around the back of a forward passer and then flings a lovely wide ball to James Lowe. The wing hacks ahead.
On the counter-attack after a return Springboks kick, Sam Prendergast jinks past one chase before sending something skywards. A little later, the Ireland fly half is caught by a tackler having foolishly let the ball bounce but South Africa infringe at the ruck. Penalty Ireland. Lively.
KICK OFF!
17:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleA blast of the whistle from Matthew Carley and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu gets proceedings underway!
Ireland vs South Africa
17:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleAs ever, the Springboks proudly roar out their anthem, with Siya Kolisi looking to the heavens as is his custom. Not his best singing performance, one might suggest - though perhaps not to his face.
Ireland’s two anthems are warmly delivered, and received. Right - time for action.
Ireland vs South Africa
17:39 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere’s definitely a big game feel to this one, the occasionally flat Aviva Stadium anything but with the world champions in town. Can Ireland really get that crowd going tonight and prove a few critics wrong?
For now, it’s polite applause as Catherine Connolly, the Irish president, departs having completed her first rugby duties in the role 11 days on from succeeding Michael D. Higgins.
Ireland vs South Africa
17:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleOut the players come into a pleasant-enough Dublin night, followed by a group of Irish dignitaries.
Ireland vs South Africa match officials
17:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s an all-English officiating team in Dublin today, led by Matthew Carley with fellow Test referees Karl Dickson and Christophe Ridley on the touchlines. One fancies they could be in for a busy night after a couple of weeks of card chaos involving the Springboks - while they were successful in getting Franco Mostert’s sending off overturned, an attempt to appeal the sanction given to Lood de Jager last week failed.
Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng)
ARs: Karl Dickson (Eng) & Christophe Ridley (Eng)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)
FPRO: Dan Jones (Eng)
Can Ireland test the Springboks at scrum time?
17:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt was notable last week just how Italy got into the South Africa scrum, forcing early changes from Rassie Erasmus with both Boan Venter and Zachary Porthen hooked in the first half as the Springboks coach sought a solution. It was strange to see a normally strong unit in retreat, but Ox Nche - who became the first prop nominated for World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year this week - is certainly missed on the loosehead side.
Having Thomas du Toit back on the tighthead should be helpful and his battle with Andrew Porter could be key. Porter can sometimes get on the wrong side of the referee with his slightly strange technique, but he and Tadhg Furlong are props of vast experience.
Sam Prendergast backed by Andy Farrell
17:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleOne of those who Jacques Nienaber, a defensive guru, will now be working hard with is Ireland fly half Sam Prendergast, whose tackling remains a topic of real conversation. Andy Farrell bristled after a reporter asked if Prendergast was working specifically on his physicality after a couple of high-profile misses against Australia, including an effort on Len Ikitau that left a lot to be desired. The rest of his game looks in a good place at the moment, though, as Farrell stressed this week.
“It's a question that obviously keeps popping up now, but I think Sam's ability as a fly-half far outweighs a work-on within his game,” Farrell said.
"I thought he was tremendous last week. His skillset has been fantastic for all to see, and I think everyone needs to look through a little bit of a work-on, because everyone's got work-ons and will continue to have work-ons throughout, and that's up to us as coaches and the rest of the players to keep on working on them."
Shared knowledge
16:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere are plenty of links within these two squads, of course. Former Ireland international Felix Jones has long been part of the Springboks staff, barring a brief stint with England, after following Rassie Erasmus to South Africa from Munster, with Jerry Flannery also part of their staff, too.
Jacques Nienaber, meanwhile, is now head coach of Leinster after steering the world champions to 2023 World Cup victory in partnership with Erasmus. Intriguingly, the Springboks supremo suggested this week that he’d be open to having Nienaber back ahead of the three-peat attempt in Australia in two years’ time - hmm....
50 up for RG Snyman
16:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleRG Snyman is primed for cap 50 in Springboks green today off the bench, perhaps hte biggest weapon of South Africa’s ‘Bomb Squad’ also one of the side’s most popular team men. Despite his stature and somewhat fearsome appearance, Snyman is a gentle giant away from the pitch and will enjoy bringing up a milestone in the city he now calls home. The heavy Leinster contingent in the Irish squad won’t expect anything other than rough treatment from their clubmate, mind.
“We are thrilled for RG and we’ll do everything we can to hopefully make this a special occasion for him,” Rassie Erasmus said. “He’s a great player and team man, and had it not been for injuries along the way, he would have probably earned 50 caps a while ago. He deserves this achievement, and it speaks volumes about the quality of the player he is.”
Team news - South Africa
16:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa bring back a host of first-choice starters after a clunky showing against Italy. Franco Mostert was available after his red card was rescinded but misses out as Ruan Nortje and Eben Etzebeth unite in the second row, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu takes over from Handre Pollard at fly half.
On the bench, RG Snyman is set to hit fifty caps from a replacements unit that also includes Andre Esterhuizen, continuing his hybrid flanker/centre cover role.
South Africa XV: 1 Boan Venter, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Thomas du Toit; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Canan Moodie; 15 Damian Willemse.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Andre Esterhuzen; 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.
Your #Springboks team to face Ireland in Dublin tomorrow 🇿🇦#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/Td2IhAh5oK
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 21, 2025
Team news - Ireland
16:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleSam Prendergast is retained at fly half by Andy Farrell ahead of Jack Crowley as the pair’s battle for the No 10 shirt continues. Garry Ringrose is fit to return alongside Bundee Aki n the centres, and Josh van der Flier is similarly back amongst things on the flank as captain Caelan Doris reverts to the base of the scrum.
Andrew Porter is restored to the starting side on the loosehead with Paddy McCarthy taking up a role as a replacement.
Ireland XV: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong; 4 James Ryan, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Ryan Baird, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (capt.); 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Sam Prendergast; 11 James Lowe, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Tommy O’Brien; 15 Mack Hansen.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Paddy McCarthy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Cian Prendergast, 20 Jack Conan; 21 Craig Casey, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Tom Farrell.
Our team to face South Africa! 👊 pic.twitter.com/luN9dUZgBl
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 20, 2025
Andy Farrell believes Springboks clash is 'litmus test' for Ireland
16:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleHead coach Andy Farrell expects Ireland's autumn climax against South Africa to be a "litmus test" of his side's current standing in Test rugby.
The in-form Springboks, who top the global rankings and are back-to-back world champions, are favourites with bookmakers following 14 wins from their last 16 matches.
Ireland clinched successive Six Nations titles in 2023 and 2024 but are negotiating a transitional phase amid suggestions the team is in decline.
Asked how important it is to make a statement during Saturday's showdown in Dublin, Farrell said: "It always is, but no more so than the expectation we put on ourselves to make sure we use an opportunity in the right manner.
"We'll learn no matter but we're trying to prove to ourselves the whole time that we're taking steps forward.
"This will be the litmus test for where we are - certainly that's going to concentrate the mind in the next couple of months leading up to the Six Nations."
Siya Kolisi believes South Africa have learned from past Ireland defeats
16:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa captain Siya Kolisi says his side have learnt from previous failures as they seek to end a 13-year wait for victory away to Ireland.
The Springboks are targeting a first win in Dublin since a 16-12 success in 2012 following defeats in 2014, 2017 and 2022.
Flanker Kolisi, who twice skippered his country to World Cup glory during that period, played in the two most recent Aviva Stadium losses.
"They're a very good team, and that's the reason we've struggled to win here for so many years," said the 34-year-old, who won his 100th Test cap in South Africa's 32-17 win away to France on November 8.
"It will all be about taking our opportunities this weekend because we've lost with small margins against them at times as a result of that, and we've learnt a lot from those previous games.
"This is a very important match, so we must be at our best."
What is the Nations Championship? Rugby’s new-look north vs south competition
16:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleThese two are set to meet again in Dublin in 2026 as part of rugby’s new Nations Championship, which will pit the best of the north against the best of the south (and geographical oddity Japan) across the July and November international windows. Certain details are still to be confirmed, and logistically it’s a bit of a nightmare, but it will all culminate in a finals weekend at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium this time next year.
What is the Nations Championship? Rugby’s new-look north vs south competition
Autumn internationals 2025: Results, fixtures and schedule in full
16:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleNeed a refresher of all of the November international results so far? We’ve got you covered.
Autumn internationals 2025: Results, fixtures and schedule in full
Andre Esterhuizen and rugby's hybrid evolution
15:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleIn each of the last two weeks, South Africa have found it handy to have a man like Andre Esterhuizen on the bench. A centre by trade, Esterhuizen’s cross-training in the back row has paid off with his ability to fill in when required in the pack, enabling Rassie Erasmus to maintain greater strength and structure than one usually would when down to 15.
Earl, Esterhuizen and what hybrid players tell us about the future of rugby
Siya Kolisi urges South Africa to maintain physicality despite red cards
15:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa captain Siya Kolisi wants his side to maintain their physical presence when they take on Ireland, despite two red cards in as many games, one of which was rescinded this week.
Lood de Jager was sent off against France and Franco Mostert versus Italy, but the Springboks won both those games with 14 men.
Mostert’s red was later rescinded, while De Jager lost an appeal, but Kolisi says that physicality is part of who they are and what has taken them to back-to-back World Cup titles.
Asked if discipline could be a deciding factor this weekend, Kolisi said they had been working hard on their tackling in particular.
"We want to play with 15 men," he told reporters on Friday. "We’ve been working really hard on all the controllables, level changing, wrapping, doing that over and over.
"We’re an aggressive team, and we can’t take that away, which is why we work so hard to make sure we stay on the field."
Springboks overturn Franco Mostert red card - but leave lock out
15:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa had mixed news on the disciplinary front this week, failing in an appeal to get Lood de Jager’s suspension reduced or dismissed but successfully overturning Franco Mostert’s red card against Italy. The lock isn’t involved today, but you would say justice has been done - his challenge on Paolo Garbisi just never looked like a sending off, and certainly not a straight red card.
With Japan’s Harry Hockings also having his sanction overturned, it’s been another confusing week for World Rugby’s officials.
Sam Prendergast retains Ireland fly half role as team revealed for Springboks tussle
15:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleSam Prendergast has been retained as Ireland’s starting fly half for their final Test of 2025 against South Africa.
The 22-year-old impressed in the win over Australia in Dublin last week and again beats Jack Crowley to the starting No 10 shirt for the meeting with the world champion Springboks.
Prendergast has new centres for company as Garry Ringrose returns from injury to partner Bundee Aki, while Andrew Porter and Josh van der Flier are brought back into the starting forward pack.
Sam Prendergast retains Ireland fly half role as team revealed for Springboks tussle
Caelan Doris excited for Ireland's 'real test' against South Africa
15:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleCaptain Caelan Doris admits the success of Ireland's autumn campaign hinges on today’s clash with back-to-back world champions South Africa.
Andy Farrell's men began the month with an underwhelming defeat by New Zealand in Chicago before registering comfortable Dublin victories over Japan and Australia.
South Africa's sole victory over Ireland in the past five meetings came in the opening Test of a 1-1 series draw on home soil in the summer of 2024.
Yet the Springboks sit top of the Test rankings and are viewed as favourites by bookmakers.
"There's definitely a rivalry there," said Doris. "There's a strong understanding of how we both want to play the game.
"We've had some good results; they've beaten us over there in 2024. There's a lot on the line tomorrow, that's the feeling anyway and the lads are very excited about it.
"I think probably the success of this November hinges a little bit on our performance this weekend.
"Momentum has built nicely as the weeks have gone on but this is the real test now so there's a lot of excitement for it.
"It's a privilege to be involved in this game."
The narrative Ireland can prove wrong by beating the Springboks
15:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis feels a sizeable day for Ireland as they look to disprove a few narratives around their decline. Can they still mix it with the top teams? We may well find out this evening...
The narrative Ireland can prove wrong by beating the Springboks
Ireland vs South Africa live
Friday 21 November 2025 08:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleWell this should be fun. Ireland and South Africa collide in a massive meeting in the Quilter Nations Series as the Springboks look to continue their unbeaten run and secure a first win in Dublin under Rassie Erasmus. The back-to-back world champions have shown their strength in the last two weeks in overcoming first-half red cards to beat France and Italy, but an Irish side bouncing after thrashing Australia will provide a tough test.
Kick off at the Aviva Stadium is at 5.40pm GMT.
