Ireland’s recent success in the Guinness Six Nations tournament was cause for wild celebration all around the country. This, after all, was not only a back-to-back championship win after 2023’s Grand Slam but also confirmed for many the side’s status as the best in world rugby.
Now that the dust has settled somewhat on this achievement, attention has started to focus on Ireland’s upcoming summer 2024 tour, which sees them play two matches against reigning world champions South Africa. This will pit the northern hemisphere’s best side against the best that the southern hemisphere has to offer.
Slated to take place during July in Pretoria and Durban, these two contests will really show if Ireland are the best in world rugby right now. Given the heated rivalry between these two teams, sports bettors will be keeping a close eye, as neither team can be considered the underdog in this matchup. The sportsbook odds will likely fluctuate accordingly, but in an article earlier this year, kwiff.com discussed the resilience of the Irish team, bouncing back from a shock defeat against England and coming back stronger – eventually going on to storm the Six Nations. But anyone who follows Irish rugby news around Galway knows that South Africa will be a stern test for Ireland.
Farrell relishing the challenge South Africa bring
Recent comments from head coach Andy Farrell suggest that his men are looking forward to proving they are the top international men’s rugby team.
He has gone on record to acknowledge not only the difficulties that these two matches pose but also the excitement that playing South Africa in their own backyard delivers. Farrell was also quick to point out that he considers South Africa to be “100% the best”, and the chance to prove themselves against such an elite rugby side is all his Irish team want.
How likely are Ireland to win their games against South Africa?
To begin with, you have to simply look at the sheer amount of elite-level talent in the Irish squad and also how effective Andy Farrell is as coach. Under his guidance and expert tactical analysis, they will be set up to not only exploit any weaknesses in the South African game but also play to their own strengths. In terms of people who can help Ireland to victory in these two matches, you really are spoilt for choice.
The leadership of old pro Peter O’Mahony will prove pivotal, as will the finishing power of James Lowe, the pace of Mack Hansen and the creativity of Jamison Gibson-Park. If these key players are fit and firing, Ireland have every chance of success.
What else points towards Irish victories against South Africa?
It is also key to remember that Ireland have won their last three games against the current world champions. This shows they know how to beat them, and this should see them playing with full confidence in both clashes.
It is also crucial to note that Ireland are in red-hot form right now and have won 33 of their last 37 tests. This again should see them brimming with confidence coming into these games, being in the habit of winning.
What threats are there to Irish victory in both games?
As in any sport, the ever-present spectre of injuries to key players is one thing that Andy Farrell will have at the back of his mind. If he has to travel without some of his most talented players in July, then it will be a tough ask to beat South Africa on home soil.
It must also be considered that Ireland have only ever beaten South Africa once when playing them as the away side. This was way back in 2016, and involved a 26-20 victory in Cape Town. Many Irish fans might also be slightly concerned with how the side looked during the Six Nations – especially in their defeat to England and the final game against Scotland.
Although they got the job done with a 17-13 win in Dublin, the match against Scotland was no classic and raised some questions that Farrell needs to answer before he heads off to Africa. Of course, you have to mention that their opponents have some seriously talented players of their own, who will present Ireland with lots of problems. Stars such as Faf de Klerk, Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe and Manie Libbok show that South Africa have lots of top players who could steer them to victory.
Ireland ready to face the South African challenge
Recent comments from Irish head coach Andy Farrell show that his side are looking forward to the challenge of taking on South Africa in a two-game summer 2024 series. This is their chance to prove they really are the best side in world rugby, and write their names into the sports history books. All fans of the games in Galway and the rest of Ireland are waiting for them to make this happen.
