SOUTH AFRICA'S DIRECTOR OF RUGBY Rassie Erasmus believes that South Africa's game against Ireland will be a massive test for the world champions.
Ireland take on South Africa, Australia, and Fiji as the number one ranked side for the upcoming Autumn Nations series. The first game is on Saturday against the Bok's (Kick Off: 5.30pm)
Ireland last beat South Africa in 2017 by a score of 38-3, the last time they came to Dublin, but times have changed for the better for both sides.
South Africa under Rassie Erasmus. won their third World Cup in 2019, while Ireland beat New Zealand on home and away since they last met
Under Andy Farrell Ireland have become one of the most impressive sides in world rugby climbing to the top of the world rankings. Erasmus who spent time in Ireland as head coach of Munster knows all too well the threat Ireland pose for the Bok's this Saturday.
Yes we know it says sold out but there are a handful, and we mean a small handful, of Ireland v South Africa tickets available following returns.
They could be gone by the time you read this...#TeamOfUs
Buy Now: https://t.co/lzBoC2Maee pic.twitter.com/zPevGq6zVu— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) September 28, 2022
“We allowed the players additional recovery time on Monday morning to ensure that they are fresh when we take the field in our afternoon training session so we can leap straight into the thick of things.
“This is a massive Test for us as Ireland are the number one team in the world and we are also facing them in the pool stages of next year’s Rugby World Cup, so every minute of preparation time on and off the field counts.”
Bok's head coach Jacques Nienaber will name their matchday 23 to face Ireland today. Wing Sbu Nkosi and back rower Marco van Staden will not feature after picking up knocks in the URC last weekend.
Andy Farrell will announce his team on Friday around midday.
BANK OF IRELAND NATIONS SERIES AND IRELAND ‘A’ FIXTURES:
IRELAND A v All Black XV
Friday 4th November 2022, RDS, KO 19:45
IRELAND v South Africa
Saturday 5th November 2022, Aviva Stadium, KO 17:30
IRELAND v Fiji
Saturday 12th November 2022, Aviva Stadium, KO 13:00
IRELAND v Australia
Saturday 19th November 2022, Aviva Stadium, KO 20:00
