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Why the Springboks next top rival could be Ireland

Ireland's CJ Stander and South Africa's Tendai Mtawarira in 2017 (Photo by Brian Lawless/PA Images via Getty Images)

A look at the growing rivalry between South Africa and fellow green outfit Ireland.

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Now that the dust has settled and the Irish hangover has subsided after their historic series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand, it’s worth noting that the world’s latest No.1 ranked team might form a bigger rivalry with another green outfit from the Southern Hemisphere – the Springboks.

These two sides have a long rivalry themselves dating back to 1906 when the South Africans were victorious by 15-12.

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Through the years there’s been some stunning as well as some controversial clashes.

Who will forget the 100th anniversary of the Springbok emblem when they wore a special edition jersey against Ireland at Lansdowne Road to mark the occasion and the quick tap penalty that resulted in a try when John Smit was still talking to his troops?

Or when Ireland beat the Springboks for the first time on South African soil in 2016?

Now Irish rugby seems to be at its strongest it’s ever been. With South Africa ditching Super Rugby and entering the Pro14, which would be rebranded as the United Rugby Championship, the local franchises already started their mini rivalries.

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In the semifinals of the URC, the South Africans came out on top when the Bulls beat a heavily fancied Leinster away from home and the Stormers scraped past Ulster to make the Final.

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The talks of South Africa possibly joining the Six Nations after 2025 when their broadcast deal with SANZAAR ends is still hot on everyone’s lips.

These sides could be two regular title competitors should that move happen, and it’s worth remembering they will also face off in a pool clash at Rugby World Cup 2023.

It’s a fixture which will have a massive influence on who they might possibly face in the quarterfinals should they reach that stage when South Africa will look to defend their global crown.

Meanwhile, the clash between the two sides later this year at the Aviva Stadium is already sold out as well.

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All these factors are very much a possibility, and whilst South Africa versus New Zealand will always be the pinnacle of tests in world rugby, Ireland versus South Africa might just be a close second in the coming years.

-Angus Opperman/Rugby365

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Comments

2 Comments
C
Colin 843 days ago

expect the URC to be ultra competive from the start this year. the SA sides have really made an impression

G
Graeme 844 days ago

It's not easy being green. From Kermit.

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C
CO 29 minutes ago
Forget Ireland, the All Blacks face the real alpha of Europe next

I cannot believe that you don't think the French rugby team coach and captain are not discussing putting Jalibert on the bench in favour of Duponts club teammate that doesn't even play at 10.


This is a terrible, massive insult to a 10 and I'm sure Dupont would also be very enraged if benched for a player that doesn't even play halfback.


A good captain would've insisted to the coach that it was an idea of madness and either select Jalibert or replace him with another 10 if you want him to be reserve.


Jalibert may not be the world's finest tacklers but that's often not a tens main strength that the loose forwards and second five cover. An intercept pass is never great but they happen.


When any player is playing for his club then it's club first, respect doesn't need to be shown to opposition players simply because they're internationals.


Who exactly are you claiming Jalibert hasn't respected? If it's Toulouse international players then it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this bench demotion out.


The outcome of selecting Jalibert to the bench and he then throwing his croissants out the window of the team bus immediately prior to playing the Allblacks is a disaster that will be team disharmony as any team mates of Jalibert are in a state of anger and revolt so a performance that will be sub optimal against a team that is thirsting for revenge against France.


I don't know about you but the Allblacks are very upset they've lost twice in a row to France and want to put out a statement performance so this preparation by Galthie of creating havoc looks to me like a coach that is clueless.

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