Match Irlande vs Afrique du Sud - samedi 22 novembre 2025 18:40 CET - Quilter Nations Series

🗓️ Date: Saturday 22 November 2025

🕐 Kick-off: 17:40 GMT

🏟️ Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

📺 Broadcast: Live on TNT Sports (UK & IRE), SuperSport SA (more broadcast info here)

🎟️ Tickets: Via Ticketmaster

🥊 A rivalry reborn

Among the marquee fixtures in world rugby today, few carry more narrative weight than Ireland v South Africa. A century of contests, shifting dynamics and recent World Cup memory have combined to make this a fixture where pride, history and stakes converge.

The rivalry’s modern edge stems in part from their 2023 World Cup pool match: Ireland stunned the reigning champions 13–8 in Paris, handing South Africa their only defeat in that tournament.

Though historically the Springboks have dominated the fixture, things have shifted. In 28 matches to date, South Africa have 18 wins, Ireland 9, and one draw. Since 2004, Ireland have won 9 of their last 14, illustrating a genuine swing in fortunes.

This autumn in Dublin is one of the ultimate battles for supremacy in the North–South dialogue.

🧠 Tactical breakdown

Ireland, under Andy Farrell, bring precision, structure and depth. Their strengths lie in phased play, controlling territory and exploiting turnover ball. Their backs, including formidable centre pairing Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose, combine creativity with hard edge.

South Africa remain masters of physicality and pressure. Their breakdown work, power in contact and tactical kicking game are as potent as ever. The Springboks will test Ireland’s discipline and try to drag the game into their comfort zone.

While Ireland may aim to break the line and play expansively, South Africa will push to turn every collision, every turnover, into opportunity. The margin here often comes down to composure, discipline and who claims momentum.

🌟 Player spotlights

☘️ Ireland:

Jack Conan – Dynamic number eight with Lions pedigree; powerful carrier, tireless defender, and a proven leader for Leinster and Ireland..
Garry Ringrose – Combines craft, vision and the ability to exploit soft edges.
Caelan Doris – Lineout, defence, leadership — the meat of the pack.

🇿🇦 South Africa:

Pieter-Steph du Toit - Relentless flanker with elite work rate; two-time World Player of the Year and Springboks' defensive cornerstone.
Kurt-Lee Arendse – Threat in broken play, electric in wider channels.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu - Versatile Springbok playmaker; composed, clinical, and creative with record-breaking flair and tactical maturity at fly-half.

🏟️ Matchday in Dublin

A Test in Dublin has its own rhythm: the riverside pubs swell, flags spill down Grafton Street, and chants drift through city lanes. The Aviva Stadium fills early, the hum building until anthem time. When Amhrán na bhFiann meets Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, the history crackles in the air.

Inside, the stands lean in - every tackle, turnover and kick carries weight beyond the scoreboard. And when the first forward crash comes, you feel the collision of convergence: iron wills, national goals, modern rivalry.