Irish to face world champions South Africa in November Test

Ireland’s credentials for the 2023 Rugby World Cup will be put to the test when they host world champions South Africa and Australia in November Tests.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) announced the schedule on Thursday, with crowd-pleasing Fiji (November 12) sandwiched between the Springboks (November 5) and Wallabies (November 19).

The Irish — who have a three-Test series in New Zealand in July — will play South Africa in the pool stage on September 23 at the Stade de France in the World Cup.

The two sides have not met since Ireland recorded a record 38-3 victory against the ‘Boks in 2017, but South Africa have since gone on to claim a third Rugby World Cup title and a gritty series win over the British and Irish Lions last year.

Ireland have not faced the Australians since clinching a three-Test series with a 20-16 victory in Sydney — 2016 is the last time Australia was in Dublin as Ireland held on to post a 27-24 victory.

Fiji was last in Dublin in 2017, when Ireland defeated them 23-20.

The Irish, who finished second in the Six Nations this year, losing only to Grand Slam champion France, have yet to advance beyond the World Cup quarterfinals.