Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

26 October 2024; Asenathi Ntlabakanye of Emirates Lions during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Emirates Lions at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Lions and Springbok prop Ntlabakanye given doping ban

South Africa prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been banned for 18 months due to an anti-doping rule violation, his Lions franchise confirmed on Thursday, ruling the player out of the 2027 Rugby World Cup barring a successful appeal.

Rugby • 15 May

13 January 2026; Jean Kleyn during Munster Rugby squad training at the University of Limerick in Limerick. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Kleyn to join Gloucester after 10 years with Munster

Munster lock Jean Kleyn is to join Gloucester next season after a 10-year spell with the Irish province.

Rugby • 13 Jan

22 November 2025; South Africa assistant coaches Felix Jones, left, and Jerry Flannery before the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Jones and Flannery switch from Boks to Bulls

Springbok assistant coaches Felix Jones and Jerry Flannery are set to join up with the Bulls on a temporary basis.

Rugby • 28 Dec 25

CARDIFF, WALES - NOVEMBER 29: A detailed view of the stadium big screen showing Eben Etzebeth of South Africa gouging the eye of Alex Mann of Wales during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 rugby international match between Wales and South Africa at Principa

Updated Etzebeth handed 12-match ban for eye gouging

South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth has received a 12-match suspension for his eye gouge on Wales flanker Alex Mann, ruling him out until April.

Rugby • 04 Dec 25

22 November 2025; Damian de Allende of South Africa celebrates during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Sexton: South Africa beating will be 'reference point'

Johnny Sexton says Ireland will use Saturday's loss to South Africa as a "reference point" on their way to the World Cup in 2027.

Rugby • 26 Nov 25

22 November 2025; Tadhg Beirne of Ireland, centre, remonstrates with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu of South Africa, 10, during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sports

Ireland's Beirne believes 'officials doing their best'

Tadhg Beirne didn't want to be drawn on the performance of the match officials in Ireland's defeat to South Africa but believes they are "doing their best".

Rugby • 25 Nov 25

22 November 2025; A general view of a scrum during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Stats don't paint full picture of Irish scrum problems

The numbers would suggest that Ireland gave up six penalties from South Africa's 16 scrums, but the reality is considerably worse.

Rugby • 24 Nov 25

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 25

Tommy O’Brien of Ireland in action against Damian Willemse of South Africa during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Autumn international recap: Ireland 13-24 South Africa

Ireland took on world champions South Africa in their final Quilter Nations Series game of the year. Relive all the action here.

Rugby • 22 Nov 25

21 November 2025; Head coach Rassie Erasmus, left, with RG Snyman and Siya Kolisi at the taking of a squad photograph at Radisson Blu St Helen's Hotel before the South Africa rugby captain's run at UCD Bowl in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

'We're an aggressive team, and we can't take that away'

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi wants his side to maintain their physical presence when they take on Ireland, despite two red cards in as many games, one of which was rescinded this week.

Rugby • 21 Nov 25

15 November 2025; Ireland players, from left, Caelan Doris, Ryan Baird, Cian Prendergast, Tadhg Beirne, Bundee Aki, Nick Timoney and Jack Crowley during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Ph

Lineout steals mask lingering Irish discipline issues

Ireland have had a reasonable penalty count in this November window, but where and when they are giving up penalties remains a source of frustration, writes Neil Treacy.

Rugby • 22 Nov 25

21 November 2025; Caelan Doris during an Ireland Rugby captain's run at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

November success 'hinges' on Springboks game - Doris

Caelan Doris reckons Ireland's performance against South Africa tomorrow will determine the success or failure of the November window, while injury concerns about Mack Hansen have abated.

Rugby • 21 Nov 25

22 February 2025; James Lowe of Ireland out jumps Blair Murray of Wales to keep the ball in play, and assist his side's second try scored by teammate Jamie Osborne, not pictured, during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Wales and I

Jumping James Lowe on sky joy and soccer highs

James Lowe reveals his joy at Ireland's World Cup heroics and looks to the sky ahead of the battle with the world champion Springboks.

Rugby • 22 Nov 25

20 November 2025; Head coach Andy Farrell during an Ireland Rugby media conference at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Farrell: Ireland 'more up to speed' as Boks arrive

This is week five of Ireland's camp, and Andy Farrell says he always believed their performances would come together.

Rugby • 21 Nov 25

15 November 2025; Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, right, with Sam Prendergast of Ireland before the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Farrell defends Prendergast over defensive 'work-on'

Andy Farrell has issued a staunch defence of his out-half Sam Prendergast, ahead of Saturday's Quilter Nations Series meeting with South Africa.

Rugby • 20 Nov 25

Lood De Jager #5 of Team South Africa receive a red card by referee, Angus Gardner during the Autumn Nations Series 2025 match between France and South Africa at Stade de France on November 08, 2025 in Paris, France.

Springbok De Jager loses appeal against red card

South Africa lock Lood de Jager has lost his appeal against a four-match suspension following his red card against France in the Springboks' 32-17 win in Paris on 8 November.

Rugby • 20 Nov 25

5 November 2022; Both teams walk out before the Bank of Ireland Nations Series match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ireland v South Africa: All you need to know

Ireland take on world champions South Africa in their final November international Test of the year. Find out all you need to know here.

Rugby • 21 Nov 25

PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 8: Jasper Wiese of South Africa during the Autumn Nations Series 2025 rugby match between France and South Africa (Springboks) at Stade de France on November 8, 2025 in Saint-Denis near Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty

Springboks 'a lot more than just brutes running at you'

Dan Sheehan believes Ireland will face a South Africa side with no significant weaknesses and has urged his team to match up when the sides clash in tomorrow's Test at Aviva Stadium.

Rugby • 21 Nov 25

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 21: South Africa Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus talks to South Africa Head Coach Jacques Nienaber during the pre match warm up ahead of the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between England and South Africa at Stade de France on

Erasmus open to Nienaber return for Rugby World Cup

Rassie Erasmus says he is open to the idea of welcoming Jacques Nienaber back into his coaching team for the Rugby World Cup in 2027.

Rugby • 20 Nov 25

PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 05: Franco Mostert of South Africa looks on during the South African national men's rugby team training session at Insep Fields on November 05, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Franco Arland - Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Springboks given boost as Mostert red card overturned

South Africa have received a major boost ahead of Saturday's huge Quilter Nations Series meeting with Ireland in Dublin, after a disciplinary committee overturned Franco Mostert's controversial red card against Italy last weekend.

Rugby • 19 Nov 25

15 November 2025; James Ryan of Ireland during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Ryan 'couldn't believe' Ireland heroics in Budapest

The Ireland rugby team are looking to take more inspiration from the heroics of the Boys in Green, with James Ryan hailing Troy Parrott's incredible hat-trick.

Rugby • 18 Nov 25

26 July 2025; James Ryan of British & Irish Lions is tackled by Carlo Tizzano of Australia during the second test match between Australia and the British & Irish Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Steve Christo/Sportsf

'Proud' Lion Ryan ready for Springboks

Ahead of Saturday's November international against South Africa, Ireland lock James Ryan was happy to reflect on his successful summer tour with the British and Irish Lions.

Rugby • 19 Nov 25

15 November 2025; Robbie Henshaw of Ireland scores his side's sixth try during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Henshaw finds form after unwanted lay-off

After enduring a disappointing end to last season, Robbie Henshaw feels he's getting the benefit of some unwanted time off.

Rugby • 18 Nov 25

17 November 2025; Eben Etzebeth during a South Africa media conference at the Radisson Blu St Helen's Hotel in Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Etzebeth: Irish coaches now part of Springboks 'family'

Eben Etzebeth admitted he couldn't hide his delight when he heard that Felix Jones was rejoining the South Africa set-up and says that the former Ireland full-back and Jerry Flannery are part of the Springbok family.

Rugby • 18 Nov 25

15 November 2025; Stuart McCloskey of Ireland leaves the field with an injury during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

McCloskey out as Van der Flier, Ringrose return

Stuart McCloskey has been ruled out Ireland's final November international against South Africa on Saturday after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury.

Rugby • 17 Nov 25