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Ireland v South Africa

Data checked 2 Nov 2026 · #IRLRugby

Ireland v South Africa · Sat 21 Nov · 16:40 Irish time · Aviva Stadium, Dublin · Nations Championship

Head to head 8 facts

Overall record

  1. Head to head · Ireland v South Africa

    Ledger note: South Africa lead Ireland by 20 wins to 10 with one draw in 31 full Tests since 1906, but Ireland have won nine of the 15 since Ireland 17–12 South Africa at Lansdowne Road on 13 Nov 2004, as of 2 Nov 2026. #IRLRugby

    As of 2 Nov 2026World Rugby (match records); Irish Rugby; SA RugbyDerived

    Behind the data

    IRL Rugby counted this from the published records listed here. As of 2 Nov 2026; it holds until 21 Nov 2026.

    Fact page

Runs and streaks

  1. Head to head · Ireland v South Africa

    Ledger note: Ireland 13–24 South Africa on 22 Nov 2025 ended Ireland's run of three straight home wins over the Springboks since 2014, and Ireland's longest winning run in the fixture is still three, from Nov 2004 to Nov 2009 and from Nov 2017 to Sep 2023, as of 2 Nov 2026. #IRLRugby

    As of 2 Nov 2026World Rugby (match records); Irish Rugby; SA RugbyDerived

    Behind the data

    IRL Rugby counted this from the published records listed here. As of 2 Nov 2026; it holds until 21 Nov 2026.

    Fact page

  2. Head to head · Ireland v South Africa

    Ledger note: Andy Farrell's Ireland have won three of five against South Africa since 2020 but been outscored 99 points to 90, after South Africa 27–20 Ireland in Pretoria on 6 Jul 2024 and Ireland 13–24 South Africa on 22 Nov 2025, as of 2 Nov 2026. #IRLRugby

    As of 2 Nov 2026World Rugby (match records); Irish RugbyDerived

    Behind the data

    IRL Rugby counted this from the published records listed here. As of 2 Nov 2026; it holds until 21 Nov 2026.

    Fact page

Grounds and venues

  1. Head to head · Ireland v South Africa

    Ledger note: Against South Africa Ireland have won seven, drawn one and lost 10 of 18 full Tests at home and won two of 12 in South Africa, with the one World Cup meeting, an Ireland win at the Stade de France in 2023, kept apart, as of 2 Nov 2026. #IRLRugby

    As of 2 Nov 2026World Rugby (match records); Irish Rugby; SA RugbyDerived

    Behind the data

    IRL Rugby counted this from the published records listed here. As of 2 Nov 2026; it holds until 21 Nov 2026.

    Fact page

  2. Head to head · Ireland v South Africa

    Ledger note: Ireland and South Africa have three wins each at the Aviva Stadium, the last Ireland 13–24 South Africa on 22 Nov 2025, so whoever wins on 21 Nov goes ahead at the ground, as of 2 Nov 2026. #IRLRugby

    As of 2 Nov 2026World Rugby (match records); Irish Rugby; SA RugbyDerived

    Behind the data

    IRL Rugby counted this from the published records listed here. As of 2 Nov 2026; it holds until 21 Nov 2026.

    Fact page

Firsts and lasts

  1. Head to head · Ireland v South Africa

    Ledger note: Ireland lost their first six full Tests against South Africa before winning at the seventh attempt, Ireland 9–6 South Africa at Lansdowne Road on 10 Apr 1965, and waited until their eighth Test in South Africa for a win there, South Africa 20–26 Ireland at Newlands on 11 Jun 2016, as of 2 Nov 2026. #IRLRugby

    As of 2 Nov 2026World Rugby (match records); Irish Rugby; SA RugbyDerived

    Behind the data

    IRL Rugby counted this from the published records listed here. As of 2 Nov 2026; it holds until 21 Nov 2026.

    Fact page

  2. Head to head · Ireland v South Africa

    Ledger note: 21 Nov is Ireland's first Nations Championship meeting with South Africa, and in the only World Cup game between them Ireland won, South Africa 8–13 Ireland in Pool B at the Stade de France on 23 Sep 2023, in 31 full Tests as of 2 Nov 2026. #IRLRugby

    As of 2 Nov 2026World Rugby (match records); Irish Rugby; SA RugbyDerived

    Behind the data

    IRL Rugby counted this from the published records listed here. As of 2 Nov 2026; it holds until 21 Nov 2026.

    Fact page

Biggest margins

  1. Head to head · Ireland v South Africa

    Ledger note: Ireland's biggest win over South Africa is Ireland 38–3 South Africa at the Aviva Stadium on 11 Nov 2017, by 35 points, and their heaviest defeat Ireland 0–38 South Africa at Lansdowne Road on 30 Nov 1912, by 38, in 31 full Tests as of 2 Nov 2026. #IRLRugby

    As of 2 Nov 2026World Rugby (match records); Irish Rugby; SA RugbyDerived

    Behind the data

    IRL Rugby counted this from the published records listed here. As of 2 Nov 2026; it holds until 21 Nov 2026.

    Fact page

Squad and opposition 3 facts

  1. The opposition · Ireland v South Africa

    Ledger note: South Africa are first in the World Rugby men's rankings on 93.09 points and Ireland third on 88.08, a gap of 5.02 points, in the rankings dated 2 Nov 2026. #IRLRugby

    Ranking points are shown to two decimal places; the gap is worked from World Rugby's unrounded points.

    As of 2 Nov 2026World Rugby (men's rankings)Derived

    Behind the data

    IRL Rugby counted this from the published records listed here. As of 2 Nov 2026; it holds until 7 Nov 2026.

    Fact page

  2. The opposition · Ireland v South Africa

    Ledger note: South Africa have won seven of nine Tests against national sides in 2026, including three of four against New Zealand, with defeats only to New Zealand in Johannesburg and to Australia, 42–38 in Perth on 27 Sep, as of 2 Nov 2026. #IRLRugby

    As of 2 Nov 2026World Rugby (match records)Derived

    Behind the data

    IRL Rugby counted this from the published records listed here. As of 2 Nov 2026; it holds until 7 Nov 2026.

    Fact page

  3. The opposition · Ireland v South Africa

    Ledger note: South Africa won all five Tests on their 2025 November tour, 222 points to 51, including Ireland 13–24 South Africa in Dublin and Wales 0–73 South Africa in Cardiff a week later, as of 2 Nov 2026. #IRLRugby

    As of 2 Nov 2026World Rugby (match records); SA RugbyDerived

    Behind the data

    IRL Rugby counted this from the published records listed here. As of 2 Nov 2026; it holds until 21 Nov 2026.

    Fact page
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