Ireland has never played South Africa in the Rugby World Cup but that will change in the 2023 edition, the draw for the final stages of which was bizarrely made yesterday, some three years out from when the games will be played.
With twelve of the 20 teams already qualified by virtue of the narrow point of the pyramid for the world game, the three key teams in each group are known.
Ireland’s other opponent will be more familiar in the shape of Scotland who we played against and eliminated from the most recent tournament.
If things go according to plan there will also be a familiar and somewhat sobering look to the Quarter Final we might face with either New Zealand or France waiting in the Final eight.
Yes, Italy could upset one of the big two but it is unlikely so the bid for Ireland to go one better than the last eight in the biggest test of all will be reset from the position of the underdog.
The preparation for that challenge has also been laid out with the IRFU confirming a three-test tour to New Zealand in the Summer of 2022. Ireland has yet to beat the All Blacks on their own home patch in 12 attempts but the opportunity to do so a year out from a World cup is the best way to prepare for what lies ahead.
The other two teams in Ireland’s group will come from qualifiers in Asia and Europe with Tonga or Samoa and Russia or Georgia seen as the teams most likely to emerge to face Ireland in France 2023.
Sport for Business Partners
