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Thursday

12:00

Autumn Nations Series

Rassie Erasmus' telling concession after win over Ireland

By Finn Morton

22 days ago

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus, right, and Ireland assistant coach Jonathan Sexton before the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Rassie Erasmus has beaten Ireland in Dublin for the first time as head coach, with South Africa defeating a team that’s “totally dominated us” 24-13 in the Quilter Nations Series – the Springboks’ first win at the Aviva Stadium since 2012.

Ireland had tasted victory in the previous three meetings between the teams at the famed venue, including a hard-fought three-point win two years ago. South Africa had a 33 per cent winning record over the Irish between their victories in Dublin.

The Irish made history last weekend with a statement 46-19 triumph over the Wallabies, while South Africa recorded clinical wins over France and Italy earlier in the November international window.

VIDEO

Those two wins saw the Springboks stretch their winning streak out to eight matches, with the chance to extend it to nine in Dublin deep into their season. In another chapter of this fierce rivalry, Damian Willemse struck first with a try in the third minute.

Cobus Reinach scored and a penalty try was awarded in South Africa’s favour, as they took a 10-point lead into the break. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and the team’s defence were difference-makers in the second term, as the visitors held on for a famous result.

“Any beer is nice after a win, especially against a quality team like Ireland who’s totally dominated us since we’ve been in a group together,” Erasmus told reporters post-game.

“We know that if you take the five games, they’re still I think 3-2 up against us so we won’t get carried away with this, but yeah, the beers are a little bit sweeter.

“We’re just thankful that we could manage to beat them here. It’s been a long season for our guys… we are proud after a long season to grind through a win against a team like them at home for the first time in I think 13 or 14 years.”

This was the first head-to-head meeting between the sides since Ireland claimed a famous 25-24 win in Durban in July 2024. The Boks had to wait a while to bounce back in this match-up, but they’ve made a statement two years out from the Rugby World Cup.

South Africa continues to hold top spot on World Rugby’s rankings, while Ireland were fourth coming into their final Test of 2025. Both sides will be in the top band of teams when the Rugby World Cup Draw takes place next month in Australia.

The Springboks haven’t lost since falling to the All Blacks in early September, returning to winning ways with a record result over the same foe the following week. They’ve since beaten Argentina twice, Japan, France, Italy and now Ireland.

“Our aim this year was to try and end in the top four,” Erasmus said.

“Some people might have expected us to win because they’re four in the world and we’re one in the world but we’re still know if we lose to Wales next weekend we can drop two places.

“Being in the top four in the world rankings was probably the aim for us… I think we’ve used 50 players this year…. our first goal was to be in the top four so the pool draw can be okay.

“We are getting better in swapping in and out in different positions but a lot of work still to do. We think we can stay at the top.”

Comments

38 Comments

CR 21 days ago

The only “Trophy” Ireland had is now lost to reality. Kudos to the fight shown, but it’s time to man up and admit that South Africa is the no.1 and true undisputed World Champions.

unknown 22 days ago

Ireland have got a better PR team than their actual rugby team that’s for sure….cos even in defeat, it sounded as though they had won! Pathetic!

Mike Gibson 21 days ago

Pathetic was some of the Saffer whining after the match in 2023 many even claiming that Rassie lost on purpose. Nut cases!!!

Mike Gibson 22 days ago

I am Irish and thought that we were going to be up against it yesterday. The two early turnovers in the SA red zone and then Willemse try confirmed it.

For the record I believed SA would have won yesterday no matter what.

That said and stay with me, the scrum laws have to be addressed. In theory a dominant scrummaging team could gain 3+ yellow cards just from their opponents making one knock on. The scrum is a mechanism to restart the match.

A penalty gives a team an advantage envisaged by the laws. It was never envisaged that a minor infringement like a knock on could allow a dominant team create a scrum loop, causing several yellow cards.

A scrum should not be an option instead of a penalty and I would argue that the scrumhalf should have a set time to play the ball if the objective is to restart the match.

Otherwise at any time, at any position on the pitch a dominant scrum can win the match by an initial knock on or penalty. Its a loophole that needs to be closed.

Ninjin 21 days ago

You sound like MW. What an idiotic argument towards the set piece you have. Maybe Ireland should learn to scrum. Saying but they are bigger than us so it is unfair sounds pathetic. Go watch league you 🐱.

Flankly 21 days ago

A scrum should not be an option instead of a penalty

What you mean is that when a team is awarded a penalty they should continue to have choices like kicking, tapping, etc. But they should not be allowed to choose scrums anymore.

And this is because it is unfair on teams that like to cheat and collapse scrums, instead of staying on their feet and shoving straight ahead. In this case the repeated cheating->penalty->scrum cycle can lead to a team losing the game through escalated sanctions.

Also, the repeated cheating can lead to extensive delays as scrums set and reset with penalty sanctions mounting. And that’s no fun to watch.

I have a better idea. Massively increase the sanctions on scrum cheaters. Lets see a lot more red cards and penalty tries. Lets see players dropped from teams for not being good enough to keep the scrum up and straight.

Flankly 21 days ago

A scrum should not be an option instead of a penalty

What you mean is that when a team is awarded a penalty they should continue to have choices like kicking game, tapping, etc. But they should not be allowed to choose scrums anymore.

Also, the repeated cheating can lead to extensive delays as scrums set and reset with penalty sanctions mounting. And that’s no fun to watch.

Wayneo 22 days ago

That was less a game of rugby than it was a type of medieval siege of Dublin between 2 Teams with massive fight in their dogs.

31 Penalties

32 Lineouts

20 Scrums

Countless scrum resets

Absolutely glorious to watch all those scrum resets!!!

Mike Gibson 22 days ago

One caveat. In theory a dominant team could elicit 3+ yellows + penalty try etc from the one knock on. If there is an infringement in a scrum its a penalty. That is the mechanism for restart. There is no need to call a scrum to restart. In effect a dominant team can win the match from one knock on.

These are minor infringements and the de facto punishments are disproportionate.

A penalty is enough. If its close to the line then penalty try is on the cards.

Ben 22 days ago

Class comment :)

As 22 days ago

Maybe you should start following football if scrumming is not to your liking 🤔

unknown 22 days ago

Rassie was clearly giving the thumbs up to the boorish Irish fans at the end.

And how poor were the Irish commentators- more interested in congratulating the losing team for hanging in there at the end than acknowledging just how good and dominant the world champions were!

Job well done Rassie and co.

Red and White Dynamight 21 days ago

Best most resspectful fans in the World compared to the worst most obnoxious fans in the World. Any rugby fan knows this. Erasmus believes his own press, acting like a buffoon. Cant think of any other Head coach acting like that.

RM 22 days ago

The Irish fans are some of the best, most respectful fans around, especially at live games. I’m a Saffa, but it’s a real stretch to call the Irish fans boorish

Dave Didley 22 days ago

The thumbs up was for the bok fans in the crowd.

I was at it. There was plenty of them and Rassie, with his in-ear prompt, knew he would have been on the big screen.

It was good natured. Don't be a virus, lad.

Enjoy your win. You fairly had to work for it.

DP 22 days ago

Speaks the plain truth.

Mike Gibson 22 days ago

Not sure if Willemse is naturally arrogant but his antagonizing of irish fans after his try was disrespectful. My initial thoughts was that Rassies had put some sh1t in his head.

L G 22 days ago

He’s got style, has Rassie. I wanted Ireland to win, but I’m generally for the underdog. On that basis I don’t get to support SA that often these days, but I do love watching them.

Ben 22 days ago

Another class comment. Damn, faith restored. :)

JD 22 days ago

Fair comment.

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