South Africa vs Ireland LIVE! Rugby World Cup 2023 match stream, latest score and updates today
Nienaber: Two well-matched teams
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber believes tonight will prove to be a “well-matched” encounter, predicting there will be very little to split the two sides over the 80 minutes.
“I won’t say I am nervous, I am excited,” Nienaber said.
“It will be a proper Test match. It is number one against the world champion. Both sides have a good skillset, the average age of both squads is about the same, as are the number of caps.
“It will be a clash of two teams with experienced calm heads – two very well-matched teams.”
Farrell not interested in South Africa bench
Ireland could go a long way to cementing their status as one of the tournament favourites by beating the reigning champions tonight, but they will have to fend off the Springboks’ most potent line-up, with a bench stacked full of seven forwards and just one back.
That has not given Ireland boss Farrell pause for thought, however, which makes sense when his side are No1 in the world.
Asked about the seven-one split, Farrell replied: “It’s great. They obviously know what fits for them and so do we.”
Pressed if South Africa’s approach made him re-evaluate his selection, Farrell insisted: “No, never.”
Standard Sport prediction
The world champions against the best side in the world, if the rankings are to be believed.
South Africa’s bench is a fairly good indicator of what can be expected in Paris, with the Springboks naming seven forwards as substitutes for the first time in a World Cup match.
Ireland will not match that split and their forwards face a massive test against the ‘Bomb Squad’, with that battle, particularly in the second half as Irish legs tire, likely to have a decisive factor in the result. There is very much no Plan B for South Africa.
Andy Farrell’s side can take confidence from their win over the Springboks a year ago, though there is a sense that there is more pressure on them this time than their opponents. Defeat here would leave Ireland facing a fortnight build-up into a match against Scotland they would have to win to avoid an early exit, whereas South Africa already have a victory over the Scots in the bag.
It is a match that will likely be decided by the finest of margins – we’re going for the Springboks to power their way to a gruelling win.
South Africa to win by three points.
Ireland team news
Ireland, meanwhile, make only one change from the side that beat Tonga last time out, with Jamison Gibson-Park in at scrum-half ahead of Conor Murray.
Dan Sheehan is back from injury and takes a seat on the bench, with Ronan Kelleher starting at hooker. Finlay Bealham is also among the replacements after passing tests on a head injury, though the game comes too soon for Jack Conan.
Jack Crowley is preferred to Ross Byrne on the bench, while Rob Herring drops out altogether with Sheehan back.
South Africa team news
Having rotated for the win over Romania, South Africa return to almost exactly the same side that beat Scotland in their tournament opener. The only change from that match is the absence of the injured Malcolm Marx, meaning Bongi Mbonambi lines up at hooker.
There had been concern over Eben Etzebeth’s fitness after he picked up a shoulder injury against Scotland, but he has recovered and starts, while inspirational captain Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit are among those also back in the side.
Cobus Reinach, who scored a hat-trick inside 25 minutes against Romania, is the only back named among the South Africa replacements, as head coach Jacques Nienaber opts for seven forwards on the bench.
South Africa XV: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Libbok, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe; Etzebeth, Mostert; Kolisi (c), Du Toit, Wiese
Replacements: Fourie, Nche, Nyakane, Kleyn, Snyman, Van Staden, Smith, Reinach
How to watch South Africa vs Ireland
TV channel: In the UK, South Africa vs Ireland will be broadcast live and free to air on ITV1, with coverage starting at 7.15pm.
Live stream: Fans can also catch the action live online via the ITVX website and app.
Live blog: You can follow all the action right here with us!
Good evening!
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of South Africa vs Ireland!
A blockbuster Pool B in store, could well prove to be the best match of the tournament so far. It’s the defending champions up against the number-one ranked side in the world.
South Africa will have top spot in the pool effectively wrapped up if they can secure victory, while Ireland will be looking to put themselves in pole position before that final clash against Scotland.
We’ll have all the latest updates and build-up ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm BST from the Stade de France.
