Another big day for Springboks

Now for the real deal! The world champion Springboks warmed up for the international season with an entertaining 41-13 win against Wales in London two weeks ago and next take on Ireland in a two-Test series, starting with today’s match at Loftus Versfeld.

Ireland have become something of a bogey team for the Boks, having beaten them three times in a row in recent clashes, including at last year’s World Cup in France.

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They’re the only top-tier side the Boks have failed to get the better of in recent years and must now be regarded as South Africa’s toughest opponents.

As back-to-back World Cup winners (2019 and 2023) and because they’re playing on the highveld and in front of one of the game’s most intimidating crowds at Loftus today, Rassie Erasmus’ team will start as the favourites, but they’re still going to have to get the job done.

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All eyes will be on the kind of game the Boks play, now that they have a few new assistants helping Erasmus, among them New Zealander Tony Brown, and on a few players like 34-year-old Willie le Roux and captain Siya Kolisi, who was recently criticised for his weight and poor form by his boss at Racing 92.

Good luck Boks, we’re behind you, like always.