Brutal Boks expose Ireland’s gap to world champions

Ireland must learn the lessons of Saturday’s schooling pretty sharpish if they are to have a say in the upcoming Six Nations

Ireland's Tadhg Beirne walks through the South Africa guard of honour after defeat to the Springboks. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

With just 17 Test matches from now to the pre-World Cup window, the clock is ticking on Ireland’s preparations for Australia 2027. This chastening defeat to South Africa in Dublin on Saturday exposed the size of the task facing Andy Farrell if his team is to travel Down Under as genuine contenders.

Ireland were no match for the world’s current best rugby nation, and a side shepherded by Rassie Erasmus that has been so imperious for long stretches of 2025 that a hat-trick of successive World Cup titles in two years would surprise nobody.