Ireland v Springboks: Latest Odds & Analysis on South Africa Test

Daire Walsh

Ireland are coming off the back of an extremely successful Tour of New Zealand and now betting sites are examining how Ireland will fare against another southern hemisphere giant in their first game of the new Autumn Nations Series.

Courtesy of two wins from three tests, Andy Farrell’s men secured a historic series win over the All Blacks in the summer just gone.

This helped to elevate them to number one in the world rankings and while an action-packed Rugby Championship took place in the weeks that followed, Ireland remain on top of this particular pile ahead of Six Nations rivals France.

Despite responding to that series defeat to Ireland by claiming a Championship title, New Zealand have to settle for fourth spot at the moment.

Just ahead of them are defending world champions South Africa and it is the Springboks who will rock up to Dublin for a clash at the Aviva Stadium this Saturday.

South Africa Remain A Formidable Outfit

While Jacques Nienaber’s charges lost out on the Rugby Championship crown to the All Blacks, just a single point separated them in the final standings.

They are still one of the toughest sides to play against in the international arena and this is exemplified by the fact that the Webb Ellis Cup holders had the best defensive record in the competition.

There is also a perception that South Africa aren’t the most free flowing of outfits, but it was actually a losing bonus point that helped New Zealand to pip them to success.

There is a feel-good factor surrounding this Ireland group however, and their form in November internationals at the Aviva has traditionally been strong. That’s why you’ll find the home side as 4/7 favourites on rugby betting sites to win on Saturday.

Ireland Expected To Come Away With The Spoils

Back on November 2017, Ireland recorded an astonishing 38-3 triumph over the Springboks on home soil.

This result played a big part in the eventual dismissal of Allister Coetzee as South African head coach and the ascension of former Munster Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus into his position for the rest of the World Cup cycle.

A similar outcome isn’t expected this time around – particularly because of what has been achieved in the meantime – but it is Ireland who are once again the frontrunners to get one over on the Springboks.

Springboks Are Not To Be Dismissed Lightly

South Africa will be eager to lay down a marker with the World Cup just under 12 months away and bookmakers are mindful not to completely rule out the prospect of the visitors spoiling the party this weekend.

William Hill rates a South Africa victory as a 6/4 possibility, while odds of 7/5 are available with Paddy Power on the Springboks winning.

There is also every chance this could prove to be an arm wrestle that will go right down to the wire.

Ireland and South Africa have drawn on one occasion in the past – an 8-8 encounter at Saturday’s venue in 1970 – but the bookies don’t see this as a realistic eventuality this time around.

Odds of 18/1 are generally available on the sides being inseparable at the end of 80 minutes, although BoyleSports are pushing this scenario out all the way to 22/1.

A Tight Affair Anticipated In Dublin

Aside from the win/lose/draw conundrum, there are some other interest bets on offer for this game.

The winning margin of international tests is always something that intrigues punters, and the smart money is on this bout being a close-run affair.

Betting apps are offering up 5/1 on Ireland winning by between 6 and 10 points, while a 1 to 5 points Irish success is rated at 9/2.

You can get much the same odds on South Africa having this kind of a stranglehold over the Irish, but William Hill have gone slightly longer at 6/1 on the Springboks being 6 to 10 point winners.

A Big Year Ahead For Ireland

Given how underwhelming their World Cup campaigns have ultimately proven to be in the professional era, the next 12 months are crucial in the development of Ireland under Andy Farrell’s watch.

There is no denying that progress had been made in the way that the Wigan native wants his team to operate.

That’s why a Triple Crown success in this year’s Six Nations Championship was a decent effort when you consider how strong eventual champions France were over the course of the tournament.

With both sides amount the favourites in the Rugby World Cup betting, this Saturday’s tie is a dress rehearsal of sorts for next year’s finals in France – with Ireland set to face the Springboks in a Pool B encounter at Stade de France on September 23, 2023.

Of course, those connected to the squad have played down this fact, insisting it’s far too early to make any grand assumptions about what it will mean for their future meeting in Saint-Denis.

Team captain Jonathan Sexton also made light of the fact that Ireland are the number one ranked team in the world.

The Leinster fly-half believes something more tangible is required in order to justify this exalted status ahead of Ireland’s World Cup campaign.

Mixture Of Young And Old For Andy Farrell

Farrell has handed out several new caps since assuming the Ireland reins from Joe Schmidt in the winter of 2019 and it is expected he will do so again over the coming weeks with tests against Fiji and Australia also set to follow.

Nonetheless, there is still a considerable wealth of experience within the Irish ranks, most notably in the shape of Jonathan Sexton, Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray, who will pick up his 100th senior cap if he makes the cut for Saturday’s game.

The fact that there are now four South African franchises competing alongside the four Irish provinces in the United Rugby Championship adds to the tension that was already there for this fixture.

There have been some question marks over how Ireland can deal with a physically imposing opponent and Saturday’s game could well see them tested to the limit in this regard.