South Africa Rugby

The Counter Ruck Podcast

Ireland’s victory over Springboks in Durban after a long season was fitting reward for an authentic coach

South Africa v Ireland: In their reimagining of the game, it’s very doubtful that this is what World Rugby have in mind

Ireland stalwart James Ryan salutes the impact of Ireland’s last-gasp victory over world champions South Africa courtesy of a magical moment from Ciarán Frawley

A confidence to back themselves was evident as the game counted down to Frawley’s kick

Hero Ciarán Frawley talks about the ‘ugliest drop goal’ of his life

Leinster outhalf strikes with the last kick of the game to level the Test series in Durban

Inspired by his grandfather, the South African flanker says he’s living his dream - and aims to add a series win over Ireland to his two Rugby World Cup medals

The outhalf has plenty of room for improvement but has already shown enough qualities to mitigate the loss of Johnny Sexton

All forms of kicking against South Africa needs to be precise, and it needs to be well thought out

Ireland used to be a team renowned for their wide attacking threat - South Africa took that mantle last weekend

Ireland and South Africa's second Test may show further evidence that Springboks are getting better and rugby is still not as safe as it should be

Garry Ringrose, James Ryan, Conor Murray and Rónan Kelleher all come into the starting XV for the second Test

Team that will line out in Durban will be the most experienced starting line-up in Springbok history

Conor Murray says there are ‘plenty of positives’ from the first Test, and they are not walking around ‘with our heads down’

‘It’s fine margins,so they have to be very clear. It’s a big Test match so you’d rather have one replay too many than two too little’

Possible ACL injury sustained by Dan Sheehan, Craig Casey concussed, while Andrew Porter, Bundee Aki and James Lowe in treatment room

Rory Best was irked during ‘heavyweight bout’ between Ireland and South Africa as none of the marginal calls seemed to go our way

Ireland stay in the game; tuning into Lowe frequency; first-quarter panic costly; Ireland suffer on marginal call; making the kicks count

Ireland and South Africa clash saw lots of mistakes, but that did not take away from exciting nature of the match in Loftus Versfeld

Errors prove costly for Ireland as they fail to overturn early deficit despite second half comeback in Pretoria

Saturday’s game will be the biggest test of the 23-year-old lock’s young international career

Pretoria ground’s status as a graveyard for Ireland’s ambitions has remained largely intact since that infamous 1998 game

The Counter Ruck Podcast

All you need to know ahead of the first Test of Ireland’s two-match tour of South Africa

Leinster youngster has largely played at centre this season but has the potential skillset to deputise for Hugo Keenan

Coach well versed in controlling temperature ahead of a match, knowing when to add heat or turn down the flame

Irish coach says they have no new injury concerns as all 35 players trained

Several players from the strong squad Rassie Erasmus selected have been vocal in their dislike of Ireland

Twelve starters from last year’s Rugby World Cup final named in starting line-up for Saturday’s game

Gary Keegan: 'Two games against the world champions in their own backyard, it’s important to us.`

Owen Doyle: World Rugby would do well to remind us that the full rigour of the game’s laws must be applied to all forms of dangerous tackling

New attack coach praises defence coach and says he has given insight into Ireland’s mentality

South Africa’s head coach Rassie Erasmus takes to X to detail the expected make-up of Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad for Test showdown

Progressive Ulster forward playing as a flanker under coach Richie Murphy and has excelled in that position

World Cup champions concede ‘we will have to be on par’ as ‘two-test series promises to be massive’

Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe and Lukhanyo Am among the experienced players back in the squad after missing the recent Wales game

Warren Gatland’s side in touch at half-time despite being down to 13 men but a Springbok second half surge pads out the scoreline

The Counter Ruck podcast: Leinster and Munster both crashed out of the URC semi-finals in a bitter blow for Irish rugby

The Counter Ruck podcast: Former Ireland U20s head coach and current Glasgow Warriors’ attack coach speaks about his attacking philosophy