Head coach Farrell criticised his team\u2019s performances following a 26-13 defeat to New Zealand<\/a> on November 1 and a disjointed 41-10 win over Japan<\/a> a week later.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re a very good side, there\u2019s no doubt about that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could put in all sorts of reasons of why the first performance or the second performance (was not up to scratch) or whatever but that\u2019s never been in doubt, in my mind anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n Ireland <\/p>\n South Africa <\/p>\n <\/p>\n South Africa, who top the world rankings and have won 21 of 25 matches since retaining the World Cup in 2023, are due in Dublin on Saturday evening.<\/p>\n Ireland have won four of the past five meetings between the nations.<\/p>\n \u201cYou always want to test yourself against the best,\u201d said Farrell.<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly in this moment in time, South Africa<\/a> are definitely the best and we relish that sort of opportunity to see where we\u2019re at.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone\u2019s talking about them and the type of rugby that they\u2019re playing.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve played some brilliant stuff. It\u2019s a fantastic way to finish off our autumn.\u201d<\/p>\n Mack Hansen\u2019s hat-trick set Ireland on course for the six-try success against Joe Schmidt\u2019s Wallabies at a rain-soaked Aviva Stadium before scores from Caelan Doris<\/a>, Ryan Baird<\/a> and Robbie Henshaw<\/a> sealed victory.<\/p>\n Farrell feels a greater performance will likely be required to upset the Springboks.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763376072_644_808.png.webp\"\/)
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