

Ireland vs South Africa
Ireland welcomes South Africa to the Aviva Stadium for this match in the Autumn International series. The home side will be looking to continue where they left off in July when they claimed a historic first ever test series win in New Zealand. The visitors also have fond memories of their last match when they beat Argentina in the Rugby Championship. Ireland are currently ranked the number one side in the world but they will have their work cut out against the World Champions Springboks. The big news for the home side is that mercurial caption and pivot Johnny Sexton is fit and raring to go. When Sexton plays, Ireland become a well-oiled machine and are capable of beating any team on the day.
TIP: South Africa will be hoping to kick off their end of year tour with a win as they look to find their best team ahead of next year’s World Cup in France. The Springboks will be out to avenge the crushing defeat they suffered on their last trip to Ireland. A lot has changed since that match as they went on to become world champions just two years after that defeat. It will be interesting to see how the visitors perform with a very young halfback combination in Damian Willemse and Jaden Hendrikse. The bookies have Ireland as the favourites and I am also backing them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.60, Playabets 1.62 and Sunbet 1.60
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Ireland vs South Africa
- South Africa have won four of the last seven matches against Ireland.
- Ireland have won their last two home games against the Springboks.
Latest results for both teams
Ireland beat New Zealand 32-22 in their last match while the Springboks beat Argentina 38-21 in their last match.
PREDICTION
Both teams will be looking to try out new combinations ahead of the World Cup next year although the Irish team looks to be the more settled. They do however have injuries to some key players and will be hoping that their replacements can step up in their place. The home team are more cohesive as they have tried and tested combinations especially in the midfield and in the halfbacks while the visitors are playing new combinations. We are backing Ireland to win this match by more than 10 points due to the Sexton factor.
- Probable Starting XVs
Ireland
15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Mack Hansen, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 9 Conor Murray, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
South Africa
15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Ireland victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.60
Playabets 1.62
Sunbet 1.60
Odds comparison on the Ireland handicap:
The complete odds on the Ireland handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (-2.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-2.5) 1.89
Playabets (-2.5) 1.84
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor odds on the Ireland outright win therefore we suggest the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-2.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-2.5) 1.89 and Playabets (-2.5) 1.84


Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.