Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus shakes hands with Ireland coach Johnny Sexton before the Quilter Nations Series match

Erasmus relieved to get Irish monkey off SA backs

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus was pleased his team could get a monkey off their back by winning in Dublin for the first time in 13 years and start to tip the scales of the sides' recent rivalry away from Ireland.

Rugby • 22 Nov

22 November 2025; Garry Ringrose of Ireland and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu of South Africa tussle during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Ireland count cost of cards as Springboks power to win

South Africa's 13-year wait for a win in Dublin is over, with the world champions proving their credentials with a 24-13 win against Ireland after a remarkable game at Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 22 Nov

23 August 2017; Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus and CJ Stander at the Guinness PRO14 season launch at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

'Rassie really wants this' - Stander expects a bruiser

Former Ireland international CJ Stander feels Andy Farrell's side are getting up to speed after a sluggish start to the Autumn Nations Series, but he is "nervous" as to their prospects against his native South Africa tomorrow.

Rugby • 21 Nov

13 July 2024; Siya Kolisi of South Africa is tackled by Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris and Jack Crowley during the second test between South Africa and Ireland at Kings Park in Durban, South Africa. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Ireland must produce year's best against Springboks

The final game of a November series will always dictate the Christmas mood, given the two-month layoff until the Six Nations rolls around in February. This year, it feels even more defining.

Rugby • 22 Nov

Caelan Doris of Ireland during the second test between South Africa and Ireland at Kings Park in Durban in 2024

Lenihan: Irish have no inhibitions playing South Africa

Donal Lenihan looks ahead to Ireland's clash with back-to-back World Cup champions South Africa in Dublin on Saturday.

Rugby • 21 Nov

Smit and Jackman preview Ireland v Springboks

Neil Treacy and Bernard Jackman are joined by South Africa's 2007 World Cup winning captain John Smit ahead of this week's game between Ireland and the Springboks.

Rugby • 18 Nov

Ethan Hooker of South Africa celebrates scoring his team's fourth try with teammates during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Italy and South Africa at Allianz Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Turin, Italy.

Springboks make light of another red to fend off Italy

South Africa shrugged off a red card for the second successive match to power to a 32-14 win over an Italy side which threw away a golden opportunity to earn a rare win over the Springboks in Turin on Saturday.

Rugby • 15 Nov

New Zealand's full back Braxton Sorensen-McGee (R) sores a try during the Women’s Rugby World Cup pool C match between New Zealand and Japan at Sandy Park, Exeter, southwest England, on August 31, 2025.

WRWC: Kiwis cruise past Japan ahead of Ireland clash

New Zealand eased into the Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-finals after a comprehensive 62-19 victory over Japan in Exeter.

Rugby • 31 Aug

Argentina pip South Africa in Rugby Championship

Tomas Albornoz kicked a penalty 11 minutes from the end to hand Argentina a thrilling 29-28 victory over South Africa and keep their hopes of winning the Rugby Championship alive in a blisteringly hot Santiago del Estero.

Rugby • 24 Sep 24

James Ryan, left, and Eben Etzebeth during the Ireland v South Africa clash in 2022

Jackman has 'sinking feeling' for South Africa tour

Bernard Jackman says Ireland's tour of South Africa could "turn nasty" unless Andy Farrell's side are able to muster high-octane performances at the end of a draining season.

Rugby • 03 Jul 24

Springboks gear up for Ireland series with win v Wales

World champions South Africa warmed up for next month's Test series against Ireland with a 41-13 win against Wales at Twickenham, but needed two late tries to put a battling Welsh side to bed.

Rugby • 22 Jun 24

Flannery has worked as an analyst for RTÉ Sport in recent seasons

Flannery to join South Africa as new defence coach

Jerry Flannery will leave Harlequins next month to become the new defence coach of world champions South Africa.

Rugby • 06 Feb 24

New Zealand back row Ardie Savea (l) and South Africa captain Siya Kolisi (r)

Preview: Fitting rivalry to decide 2023 Rugby World Cup

Neil Treacy previews the 2023 Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France.

Rugby World Cup • 28 Oct 23

South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus (l) with head coach Jacques Nienaber (r)

South Africa taking 'the biggest risk' with 7:1 bench

Bernard Jackman believes South Africa could be taking too big a risk with their 7:1 bench selection for the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand on Saturday.

Rugby • 26 Oct 23

Where will the Rugby World Cup final be won and lost?

Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and former All Black hooker James Parsons to look ahead at the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and South Africa.

Rugby • 26 Oct 23

New Zealand's Richie Mo'unga is congratulated by Finlay Christie on scoring his side's fourth try

South Africa undone by blistering All Blacks start

New Zealand rode another blistering start to a 35-20 victory over South Africa at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday to place one hand on the Rugby Championship trophy.

Rugby • 15 Jul 23

Kurt-Lee Arendse of South Africa goes over to score his side's first try

England booed off as South Africa ease to win

England collapsed to their first defeat by South Africa at Twickenham for eight years as an autumn of crushing disappointment concluded with a 27-13 rout.

Rugby • 26 Nov 22

Francois de Klerk of South Africa is tackled

France make it 12 straight wins as Springboks edged out

France extended their impressive winning run to 12 games when they tamed South Africa 30-26 at the Stade Velodrome after a nail-biting contest.

Rugby • 12 Nov 22

Edwin Edogbo (L) and Simon Zebo both start against the South Africa XV

Rowntree gives youth its chance against South Africa XV

Munster have named a youthful looking squad for Thursday's historic match against a South Africa XV at Páirc Úi Chaoimh.

Rugby • 09 Nov 22

Ferris critical of latest Erasmus social media post

Former Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris has said that South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus is "letting himself down" with his social media postings about the decisions of officials during games.

Rugby • 17 Nov 22

Jenkins is named as part of an intimidating Springboks forwards division

Jenkins earns Springboks call-up as Vermeulen rested

Leinster lock Jason Jenkins has been rewarded for his excellent early season form with a recall to the Springboks squad set to face Ireland next Saturday in the first of their November Tests.

Rugby • 28 Oct 22

Prendergast (centre) will captain Emerging Ireland against the Pumas

Prendergast to captain Emerging Ireland v Pumas

Connacht's Cian Prendergast will captain Emerging Ireland in tomorrow's second tour match against the Pumas in Bloemfontein, with Simon Easterby naming a brand new starting XV for the meeting with the Currie Cup champions.

Rugby • 04 Oct 22

Rassie Erasmus and Wian du Preez will form part of the South Africa 'A' coaching team

Erasmus and Du Preez to coach South Africa A v Munster

Rassie Erasmus will lead South Africa 'A' when they face Munster in Cork next month, with the province's former prop Wian du Preez also set to be part of the coaching team.

Rugby • 04 Oct 22

Mike Prendergast says Munster must 'plan and adapt' if Ireland tour South Africa next month

Prendergast: Munster must adapt around Ireland SA tour

Mike Prendergast says Munster will be forced to rejig their plans when an Emergring Ireland side embark on a three-game mini-tour of South Africa.

Rugby • 31 Aug 22

South Africa won the 2019 Rugby World Cup under former Munster coaches Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber

Munster to host South Africa in November tour match

Munster have confirmed their will host Springboks this November as part of the world champions' northern hemisphere tour.

Rugby • 24 Aug 22

South Africa rugby

Erasmus relieved to get Irish monkey off SA backs

Ireland count cost of cards as Springboks power to win

'Rassie really wants this' - Stander expects a bruiser

Ireland must produce year's best against Springboks

Lenihan: Irish have no inhibitions playing South Africa

Smit and Jackman preview Ireland v Springboks

Springboks make light of another red to fend off Italy

WRWC: Kiwis cruise past Japan ahead of Ireland clash

Argentina pip South Africa in Rugby Championship

Jackman has 'sinking feeling' for South Africa tour

Springboks gear up for Ireland series with win v Wales

Flannery to join South Africa as new defence coach

Preview: Fitting rivalry to decide 2023 Rugby World Cup

South Africa taking 'the biggest risk' with 7:1 bench

Where will the Rugby World Cup final be won and lost?

South Africa undone by blistering All Blacks start

England booed off as South Africa ease to win

France make it 12 straight wins as Springboks edged out

Rowntree gives youth its chance against South Africa XV

Ferris critical of latest Erasmus social media post

Jenkins earns Springboks call-up as Vermeulen rested

Prendergast to captain Emerging Ireland v Pumas

Erasmus and Du Preez to coach South Africa A v Munster

Prendergast: Munster must adapt around Ireland SA tour

Munster to host South Africa in November tour match