South Africa and Ireland are poised to become the next greatest rivalry in rugby, heightened by opposing tactics and increasing tussles in Test and club competition.
This is according to author and rugby analyst Nick Bishop, who suggests that Ireland was the most likely team to beat the world champion Springboks at France 2023.
Writing for RugbyPass, he notes the Irish dominance over South African teams in the first two URC seasons, with the four provinces winning 22 games to 13 against the sides from the Republic.
Despite the historic rivalry between the Boks and All Blacks, Bishop believes that South Africa’s inevitable entry into the Six Nations will further strengthen the rivalry with Ireland.
The key to this growing feud lies in the contrast of styles and rugby attitudes, he adds, with the Irish focusing on building phases while South Africans aim to physically destroy opponents.
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“The rivalry between Ireland and South Africa is growing at an exponential rate, fueled by the presence of both nations in the same domestic competition and sharpened by two contrasting tactical approaches,” Bishop writes.
“In fact, the men in green were the likeliest lads to beat the Boks at the 2023 World Cup – even if they had to play the same match again. Ireland won the past three international games between the two since 2017, and five of the last seven over the last decade.
“New Zealand and South Africa may have the history and the gilt-edged provenance, but Ireland and South Africa will be the noisy neighbours from now on, treading on each other’s toes and leaving little notes in the letterbox week in, week out in the jostle for ascendancy.
“South Africa’s inevitable entry to the Six Nations will only propel that rivalry into the stratosphere.”
Photo: Miguel Medina/AFP
