'Challenge they need': Springboks next target for Six Nations champions Ireland

The Springboks have been described as the “challenge Ireland need” after they claimed the 16th Six Nations title in their history with a 17-13 win over Scotland.

The back-to-back champions in the Six Nations finished the campaign with their 19th consecutive win on home soil, a historic run that ranks third all-time.

Ireland’s next challenge will be a tour to South Africa in July for the first time in eight years to face the reigning Rugby World Cup champions in Pretoria and Durban.

The last time Ireland went to South Africa in 2016 they registered their first-ever win on South African soil in the first Test, but the hosts rallied to win the series 2-1. Since then Ireland have won all three meetings between the two sides in 2017, 2022 and 2023.

The “enormous” tour was one Irish pundits are not taking lightly but described it as a “need” for this Ireland side.

“I think it is going to be enormous, a lot of thought into that,” ex-Ireland international Andrew Trimble told Virgin Media Sport.

“Some fundamental thought, right, how do we play, what characterises this team, and how do we break down that defence.

“England did it to them [Ireland], Scotland did it to them during some periods today. South Africa is going to be another step up altogether.”

Despite concerns that Ireland’s attack was found out in the later part of Six Nations, the adjustments made against Scotland showed that there is variety in their game.

While Andy Farrell’s plan B against Scotland might not work against South Africa, it showed that they can evolve and solve problems.

“In the second half, they completely changed the way they were playing. They took the onus, they took the energy and just went direct,” Trimble said.

“The problem with that is, talking about the Springboks tour, you can’t really do that against the Springboks.

“You are going to have to be a bit more creative. They’ve showed they’ve got another gear. It’s not that flamboyant but at least there’s something, they can go to plan B.”

Australian coach Matt Williams was excited for the experience that Ireland will face in a place where rugby is “religion”, while ex-Ireland internationals Shane Horgan and Rob Kearney urged the team to relish the opportunity.

“Going to South Africa, it is such a unique experience. Going to the Republic of South Africa and playing, where the game is a religion in the place,” Williams said.

“It’s going from the beauty of Cape Town, up onto the brown of the Highveld, and that is such a challenge.”

“It’s the challenge they need, isn’t it?” Ex-Ireland international Shane Horgan responded, “What else? How many more tries are there for them to earn you know?

“It is a challenge, but my God is it an opportunity,” Rob Kearney said.

“You are getting the opportunity to play two Tests against the world champions.”