SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus says he knows what to expect when the Springboks come up against Ireland in the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour clash at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber recently named his 35-man squad for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour against Ireland (5 November), France (12 November), Italy (19 November) and England (26 November).

The last time South Africa met Ireland in Dublin, the Irish side secured a 38-3 victory over the Springboks back in 2017.

Erasmus is wary of the threat Ireland possesses but is confident his side can begin their campaign with a positive result in Dublin.

“We got a proper hiding here the last time and then we won the Rugby World Cup two years later, and it is now five years later,” Erasmus was quoted on the SARugby official website.

“Ireland are doing a lot right on and off the field, so we know we are in for stiff competition, especially with their passionate crowd on their side.

“The fact that the teams are facing one another in next year’s Rugby World Cup will certainly spice things up, but we know what we are in for. We last won here in 2012, but we both have new teams and new game plans.

“People may believe that I know the Irish system well having coached here, but they know me very well here too, so one can look at that from a different perspective as well.

“Jason (Jenkins) joined us on this tour, and he will be going back to Leinster, but he will go back knowing our structures well too.”

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