Ireland v South Africa: Springboks seek elusive Dublin win in Aviva Stadium test

Quilter Nations Series - Ireland v South Africa

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Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday, 22 November Kick-off: 17:40 GMT

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Coverage: Listen on INLIBER Sounds, INLIBER Radio 5 Live and INLIBER Radio Ulster; live text updates on INLIBER Sport website and app

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For all that South Africa have achieved as the dominant international team of their era, there remains a box unchecked by Rassie Erasmus' side. The number one ranked team have been hoovering up silverware in recent years, winning consecutive editions of both the World Cup and Rugby Championship.

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Aside from lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in Yokohama and Paris, the much-travelled Springboks have won Test matches all over the world.

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While inflicting a record defeat on New Zealand in Wellington this summer naturally garnered the most attention, across the past two autumns their record in the northern hemisphere reads played six, won six, with away victories against all but one of the Six Nations teams.

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Ireland, who host South Africa at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, are the lone exception.

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Of the XV that will take the field in Dublin on Saturday, only Eben Etzebeth - South Africa's most-capped player - was involved when they last won a Test in the city back in 2012.

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And after arriving in Ireland for the fourth of his side's five autumn Tests, the imposing lock noted that this was the fixture that jumped out in a packed schedule.

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When we received the calendar at the beginning of the year, this fixture was definitely one that stood out, so we're excited. It's going to be a good match. We haven't won here in a while, so it's a nice opportunity for us.

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There's not a lot to pick between the sides

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Regardless of the motivation, this feels like a huge game for both.

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If not quite defining for South Africa's year, with Wales still to come next week, signing off with another November clean sweep after Rugby Championship success would be an ominous sign for those hoping to wrest the World Cup from their control as Australia 2027 starts to come into focus.

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Ending the wait for a win in Dublin would certainly contribute to a great season in the eyes of Erasmus.

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We never, I thought, played always brilliant rugby, there are times when we played horrible rugby, reflected the head coach.

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So it would be great if we go into this match and we play really, really well and to our standards.

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I guess the last five results, there's not a lot to pick between the two teams. So, yes, you would love to win this game. We would love to say, yeah, we had a great season, we beat Ireland in Dublin which we haven't done since I've been involved.

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Ireland and South Africa head to Dublin for a high-stakes clash, a litmus test for both teams as SA seeks a third autumn win and Ireland presses to end a home drought.

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This topic was reported by BBC Sport.

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