Ireland and South Africa should be mates but have stirred rugby’s hottest rivalry

Andy Farrell names his squad Tuesday for the two July tests against the world champions that will turn the heat up further on what is quickly becoming rugby’s spiciest rivalry

DUMPED: Ireland's James Lowe hoists giant South Africa's lock Eben Etzebeth during their World Cup pool match at the Stade de France last year.

No sooner had Ireland claimed a 13-8 win over South Africa in the Rugby World Cup last year – an epic tussle in a tournament littered with all-time encounters – than a thumping rendition of the Cranberries’ Zombie rang out around Stade de France.

The song’s connections with the Troubles, the IRA and Ireland’s struggle for peace was lost on most South African fans that sweaty Saturday night in Paris. Their primary reaction to Ireland’s adopted anthem was rage.