‘South Africans just hate the Irish’ according to international rugby star

South Africa and Ireland have been battling it out to hold the bragging rights of who is the best team in the sport according to the world rankings over the past few years, and this has brought about a fresh rivalry.

Joe Schmidt and Andy Farrell have raised the profile of the Irish side to become one of the best in world rugby, giving them the platform to challenge the historically elite nations of South Africa and New Zealand.

The Springboks have been quick to remind Ireland and their supporters that in this period where the Irish have been among the best teams in the world, Rassie Erasmus’ side have won the World Cup twice.

Cobus Reinach of South Africa scores his team's second try during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium (Getty Images)

Paris in September 2023 may have been the moment in which South Africa and Ireland kicked this rivalry to another level as Farrell’s side won in the World Cup pool stage to allow them to finish top of their group; however, the Springboks would win the whole competition.

Since then, the matches between the pair have always had an added bite, as neither team wants to give an inch, as they know how important a victory is to them and their fans.

Now, Ireland international Stuart McCloskey has attempted to explain why the rivalry is as fierce as it is while making an appearance on For the Love of Rugby podcast.

The 33-year-old said: “I think with them being in the URC now, you see a lot more of the South Africans, and there probably is a lot more beef and grittiness there.

“I don’t know what it’s come out of. It seems like South Africans just hate the Irish. I don’t know if we hate them as much, but I think it’s pretty cordial. I think there’d be good crack between the fans. We’ve not got to fighting them yet.

Ireland's Stuart McCloskey was arguably the player of the tournament at the 2026 Six Nations. (Image: Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

“Obviously we were the top two teams in the world coming up to that World Cup, and South Africa went down and did it. We came up short, but had beaten them in the group stages, and that probably stoked it a bit more.

“It’s not really craic either. Come on, that’s your own craic. In general, not great craic.”

Ireland and South Africa are set to reignite their rivalry in the Nations Championship this November in Dublin, with the pair desperate to win this new competition to earn the bragging rights and to go down in history.