Ireland vs South Africa Predictions - Springboks backed to end Irish dominance

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 20 Nov 2025

Ralph Staniforth 20 Nov 2025

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Ireland has won 4 of the last 5 against South Africa.
South Africa enters the match with 6 consecutive wins.
South Africa predicted to cover the -5.5 handicap.

Expired

South Africa to remain unbeaten in November Tests (Getty Images)

Ireland vs South Africa Predictions

Ireland are still a quality side but the signs are there that the performance level is dropping. South Africa on the other hand look in great form. While recent history favourites Ireland, I am leaning on the Springboks here.

Ireland vs South Africa Predictions
Head to Head
Ireland Form
Ireland Injuries & Team News
South Africa Form
South Africa Injuries & Team News

My best bet is for South Africa to cover the -5.5 handicap.

Ireland have won 4 of their last 5 matches against South Africa.
Ireland have won 5 of their last 6 matches.
South Africa have won their last 6 matches.
South Africa have covered the -6.5 handicap in 5 of their last 6 matches.

Head to Head

South Africa have had the better of this fixture, however, in more recent times, Ireland have dominated – winning four of their last five encounters. The last four matches have all been decided by seven or less points.

These two sides last met in a two-match series back in 2024. South Africa won the first Test 27-20, but Ireland bounced back with a last-minute drop goal to win the second Test 25-24 in Durban.

Ireland Form

Ireland are a world class side and still ranked fourth in the world, however, it would be amiss to not acknowledge that from a performance perspective, they are not quite at their peak any longer.

That said, the Irish are still very good, particularly at home. Since the conclusion of the Six Nations, where they only lost one game but finished third, Ireland have thrashed Georgia and Portugal (July).

Their November tests began with a trip to Chicago where they faced New Zealand. For much of the game, Ireland led and looked set for victory, but a stellar final 20 minutes from the All Blacks saw them win 26-13.

Ireland returned home to beat Japan 41-10 before thrashing Australia 46-19 last weekend. That game was pretty tight until the final half an hour when Ireland pulled away.

Ireland Injuries & Team News

Andy Farrell is not likely to make wholesale changes. It is expected that Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier will be part of the action. The only guaranteed absentee is inside centre, Stuart McCloskey, who has a recurring injury last weekend.

South Africa Form

South Africa are the world No. 1 side for good reason. They have won the last two World Cup’s and after a slow start to 2025, they once again look back to their dominant best.

After losing their Rugby Championship opener to Australia, they beat the same opposition a week later. However, an Eden Park defeat followed, but that is when the Springboks season kicked into gear. The following week in Wellington, South Africa handed New Zealand their biggest ever defeat, winning 43-10.

Another big win over Argentina at home followed before securing the Rugby Championship title with a 29-27 win over Los Pumas in London. The November tour began with a 61-7 success against Japan.

Perhaps the Springboks most impressive result came against France where they won 32-17 after playing the entire second half with 14 players. Last week, again down to 14 players, this time for 70 minutes, South Africa beat Italy 32-14 in Turin.

South Africa Injuries & Team News

South Africa have returned to their best side for this encounter after resting several players against Italy. Canan Moodie, who started at 13 against Italy, shifts to wing with Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende back as a centre pairing. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu returns to flyhalf with Manie Libbok on the bench.

Verdict

Ireland v South Africa

I am backing South Africa to cover the -5.5 handicap and get their first win in Dublin since 2012.

South Africa -5.5

Handicap

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