South Africa vs Ireland LIVE rugby: Latest build-up and updates from second Test in Durban
Can the Springboks secure the series against an injury-hit Ireland in Durban?
South Africa v Ireland, second Test in Durban: LIVE
The Boks go into the second Test following their 27-10 win in Pretoria last Saturday.
Ireland will be out to square the series against South Africa as two of the world’s best sides tangle once more in Durban.
A bruising first Test ended with the world champion Springboks just about still standing in Pretoria, emerging as victors by a single score after a wild finish at Loftus Versfeld.
The encounter took its toll on an already injury-hit Ireland squad, with Craig Casey, Bundee Aki and Dan Sheehan all ruled out of the second match of a two-Test series. Andy Farrell has also made a bold selection call as captain Peter O’Mahony is held in reserve; Caelan Doris instead skippers the side.
The challenge, then, is significant as they head to the Natal coast for another tussle with Rassie Erasmus’ side, with the South Africa coach able to select the most experienced starting fifteen in Springboks history.
The world champion Springboks from 2023 and the Six Nations winners from 2024, Ireland, clash in the second Test of their series in Durban on Saturday, with kick-off at 5pm.
The Boks won the first Test 27-20 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria last Saturday to end a three-match losing run against the Irish.
Springboks v Ireland: LIVE UPDATES
Live updates of the match in Durban will appear below. Please refresh to see the latest posts.
What time and TV channel is South Africa v Ireland on today in their rugby test?
Andy Farrell is the pre-eminent coach in Ireland Rugby Union history, his 80 percent win rate leaves all others in shade.
His RWC quarter-final came closer to breaking the glass ceiling than any other Ireland coach had, Ireland with possession and attacking, looking to leap over a four point deficit at the close.
Little consolation, maybe, but there was the earlier pool win over South Africa - what he would give for that now and not suffer a second reverse - back-to-back defeats are not something Ireland are accustomed too.
Read More: Ireland star edging closer and closer to being asked to captain 2025 Lions Tour to Australia
Read More: Ireland star determined not to register third defeat in a row for first time since 2017
Indeed have only lost once in the last two Six Nations campaigns, potential back-to-back Grand Slams foiled by a Marcus Smith drop-goal at the very death at Twickenham last March.
Yet last Saturday at the Loftus Versfeld Ireland were outplayed, mentally and physically.
They were lucky to be within five points at half-time; barely got into the Springbok half for the opening 20 minutes of the second period; and it took two breakout/consolation tries in the last four minutes to close the gap to seven points.
All the more galling for Ireland fans that Rassie Erasmus might have been right in his assessment the Springboks were never in any danger of losing.
Ireland go into the second test without last week's casualties Bundee Aki, Dan Sheehan, and Craig Casey.
But it is the absence of the 2023 World Player of the Year nominee Aki that should be the most worrying.
Aki's Ireland win ratio is better than Farrell's and all the more remarkable as the centre's 81 percent comes despite being rested for some of the easier games.
He has played only one of the last five tests against Italy, doesn't play pudding games such as Samoa (2023), Fiji (2022), Japan (2021 x 2), USA (2021), Georgia (2020)...
That he is being replaced by Garry Ringrose is a plus when Ireland are on the attack, the 29 year-old is one of the finest attacking players in world rugby.
It is just that if Ireland don't have the ball his tackle-completion rate is decidedly low, listed on the IRFU's own site at a just over 60 per cent success rate; the IRFU site has Aki (who doesn't play against Italy Georgia etc, etc) with an 85 per cent success rate.
South Africa will be buoyant following last week's win and they will hope to press home their advantage on a depleted Ireland side.
Last week Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arense looked unstoppable out wide, Pieter-Steph du Toit was simply sensational while it seems highly unlikely Handre Pollard will kick as badly again.
Bar some disastrous showboating by South African stars - as this is billed as a celebratory RWC 2023 homecoming for them - Ireland could be in for a tough time.
Two losses in South Africa won't affect Farrell's win/loss ratio all that much, it will remain credibly high; Aki's ratio may well benefit by his getting to sit it out.
The Bomb Squad to dominate once again, South Africa to win by five or more points.
Here is everything you need to know about the game:
RUGBY ON TV: HOW TO WATCH SOUTH AFRICA VS IRELAND FIRST TEST LIVE!
It’s finally here; Ireland take on South Africa at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, in the first Test of the most hotly anticipated international rugby series of the summer.
Ireland have one final chance to beat SA Springboks as they meet the South Africa in the keenly-anticipated Second Test in Durban this weekend.
Watch South Africa v Ireland FOR FREE from around the world. A Springboks v Ireland live stream is one of 24 test matches – including the entire ...
Streaming service NZR+ is set to show Saturday's South Africa vs Ireland rugby 2nd Test absolutely FREE in limited territories. Most European
A Springboks v Ireland live stream will be available FOR FREE in numerous countries via New Zealand Rugby's NZR+ platform. This second test is ...
An Springboks v Ireland live stream will be available FOR FREE in numerous countries via South Africa Rugby's SAR+ platform. The second test is ...
South Africa vs Ireland LIVE rugby: Latest build-up and updates from second Test in Durban
Can the Springboks secure the series against an injury-hit Ireland in Durban?
South Africa v Ireland, second Test in Durban: LIVE
The Boks go into the second Test following their 27-10 win in Pretoria last Saturday.
Ireland will be out to square the series against South Africa as two of the world’s best sides tangle once more in Durban.
A bruising first Test ended with the world champion Springboks just about still standing in Pretoria, emerging as victors by a single score after a wild finish at Loftus Versfeld.
The encounter took its toll on an already injury-hit Ireland squad, with Craig Casey, Bundee Aki and Dan Sheehan all ruled out of the second match of a two-Test series. Andy Farrell has also made a bold selection call as captain Peter O’Mahony is held in reserve; Caelan Doris instead skippers the side.
The challenge, then, is significant as they head to the Natal coast for another tussle with Rassie Erasmus’ side, with the South Africa coach able to select the most experienced starting fifteen in Springboks history.
The world champion Springboks from 2023 and the Six Nations winners from 2024, Ireland, clash in the second Test of their series in Durban on Saturday, with kick-off at 5pm.
The Boks won the first Test 27-20 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria last Saturday to end a three-match losing run against the Irish.
Springboks v Ireland: LIVE UPDATES
Live updates of the match in Durban will appear below. Please refresh to see the latest posts.
What time and TV channel is South Africa v Ireland on today in their rugby test?
Andy Farrell is the pre-eminent coach in Ireland Rugby Union history, his 80 percent win rate leaves all others in shade.
His RWC quarter-final came closer to breaking the glass ceiling than any other Ireland coach had, Ireland with possession and attacking, looking to leap over a four point deficit at the close.
Little consolation, maybe, but there was the earlier pool win over South Africa - what he would give for that now and not suffer a second reverse - back-to-back defeats are not something Ireland are accustomed too.
Read More: Ireland star edging closer and closer to being asked to captain 2025 Lions Tour to Australia
Read More: Ireland star determined not to register third defeat in a row for first time since 2017
Indeed have only lost once in the last two Six Nations campaigns, potential back-to-back Grand Slams foiled by a Marcus Smith drop-goal at the very death at Twickenham last March.
Yet last Saturday at the Loftus Versfeld Ireland were outplayed, mentally and physically.
They were lucky to be within five points at half-time; barely got into the Springbok half for the opening 20 minutes of the second period; and it took two breakout/consolation tries in the last four minutes to close the gap to seven points.
All the more galling for Ireland fans that Rassie Erasmus might have been right in his assessment the Springboks were never in any danger of losing.
Ireland go into the second test without last week's casualties Bundee Aki, Dan Sheehan, and Craig Casey.
But it is the absence of the 2023 World Player of the Year nominee Aki that should be the most worrying.
Aki's Ireland win ratio is better than Farrell's and all the more remarkable as the centre's 81 percent comes despite being rested for some of the easier games.
He has played only one of the last five tests against Italy, doesn't play pudding games such as Samoa (2023), Fiji (2022), Japan (2021 x 2), USA (2021), Georgia (2020)...
That he is being replaced by Garry Ringrose is a plus when Ireland are on the attack, the 29 year-old is one of the finest attacking players in world rugby.
It is just that if Ireland don't have the ball his tackle-completion rate is decidedly low, listed on the IRFU's own site at a just over 60 per cent success rate; the IRFU site has Aki (who doesn't play against Italy Georgia etc, etc) with an 85 per cent success rate.
South Africa will be buoyant following last week's win and they will hope to press home their advantage on a depleted Ireland side.
Last week Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arense looked unstoppable out wide, Pieter-Steph du Toit was simply sensational while it seems highly unlikely Handre Pollard will kick as badly again.
Bar some disastrous showboating by South African stars - as this is billed as a celebratory RWC 2023 homecoming for them - Ireland could be in for a tough time.
Two losses in South Africa won't affect Farrell's win/loss ratio all that much, it will remain credibly high; Aki's ratio may well benefit by his getting to sit it out.
The Bomb Squad to dominate once again, South Africa to win by five or more points.
Here is everything you need to know about the game:
RUGBY ON TV: HOW TO WATCH SOUTH AFRICA VS IRELAND FIRST TEST LIVE!
It’s finally here; Ireland take on South Africa at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, in the first Test of the most hotly anticipated international rugby series of the summer.
Ireland have one final chance to beat SA Springboks as they meet the South Africa in the keenly-anticipated Second Test in Durban this weekend.
Watch South Africa v Ireland FOR FREE from around the world. A Springboks v Ireland live stream is one of 24 test matches – including the entire ...
Streaming service NZR+ is set to show Saturday's South Africa vs Ireland rugby 2nd Test absolutely FREE in limited territories. Most European
A Springboks v Ireland live stream will be available FOR FREE in numerous countries via New Zealand Rugby's NZR+ platform. This second test is ...
An Springboks v Ireland live stream will be available FOR FREE in numerous countries via South Africa Rugby's SAR+ platform. The second test is ...