The Springboks will be eager for revenge as they look to solidify their place at the top of the world rankings. Andy Farrell’s team hasn’t played since they won the Six Nations against Scotland in March, and South Africa returned to action with a convincing victory over Wales at Twickenham in June.
In anticipation of the much awaited season this month, here are several storylines to watch out for.
Ireland has defeated the Springboks in their last three encounters, but they have a dismal record in South Africa—one victory and nine losses.
The team led by Joe Schmidt overcame CJ Stander’s red card in the 22nd minute to defeat the Boks 20–16 in Cape Town during their 2016 visit.
But Allister Coetzee’s team rallied to win the Test matches in Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg, preventing Ireland from winning a historic series.
Naturally, since then, Ireland has triumphed in series against the All Blacks in 2022—a historic first series victory on New Zealand soil—and Australia in 2018—their first over the Wallabies since 1979.
