South Africa vs Ireland Predictions - Ireland can upset the odds against Boks

Ireland have won their last two against South Africa and both sides have looked in ominous form at the World Cup in the opening two weeks. This should be an absolute cracker but I fancy Ireland to win it against the odds.

Each side has won four of their last eight against each other. Ireland however won the most recent meeting in 2022. It was a very closely fought battle in Dublin, but the lack of a goal kicker cost South Africa as they lost 19-16.

South Africa are looking very strong at the moment and are seemingly peaking at the right time. While the Rugby Championship didn’t go according to plan earlier this year, they still finished second behind the All Blacks.

In the warm-up games, the three-time world champions beat Argentina away before thrashing both Wales and New Zealand. They then beat Scotland 18-3 in the World Cup opener.

Last week the Springboks hammered Romania 76-0 with a change-up side. Not much can be read into that game, but the defending champs are playing some good stuff at the moment.

Jacques Nienaber has chosen to go with a 7/1 bench split this weekend. The team is much as expected with Eben Etzebeth returning from injury. There is no place in the squad for Handre Pollard who joined the squad on Monday.

Ireland are the world No.1 side and rightly so, they have not taken a backstep in the last 12 months, beating all comers. However, a World Cup is different for the Irish who have never progressed past the quarter-final stage.

This year is their chance though with many tipping Ireland to win the prize. They will however want to avoid France in the quarter-final, as will South Africa, thus this game takes on great importance.

Ireland thrashed Romania 82-8 in their opener before seeing off a spirited Tonga last weekend. But now they face their toughest task followed by Scotland next time out. Defeat here will put huge pressure on the Irish.

Ireland have picked their strongest side in the opening two games and will continue to do so this week. They have risked on not resting key players during the pool stage which may ultimately pay off come knockouts.