Ireland 13-24 South Africa

Eoin Harrington reporting from the Aviva Stadium

Rassie Erasmus has finally won a game in Dublin after South Africa consigned Ireland to defeat in their final game of the Autumn Nations Series.

It was a baffling game that saw six cards handed out (five to Ireland, one to South Africa) and what felt like half of the first period spent in TMO reviews.

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South Africa had built up a 12-point lead by half time, and that would ultimately see them through even after Ireland gained a foothold in the second half.

The Boks will thus be aiming for a clean sweep in this November window when they face Wales in Cardiff next Saturday, after claiming their first win in Dublin since 2012.

During the week, Rassie Erasmus had spoken of his frustration to have never won in the Aviva, either as Boks or Munster head coach.

He finally has, and was reveling in the moment during his post-match press conference – though a beer-wielding Rassie was keen to clear the air on one contentious gesture he made to the crowd at full-time.

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Ireland 13-24 South Africa: Rassie elated after first Aviva win

At the full-time whistle, Rassie Erasmus could be seen looking towards the crowd and giving two big thumbs up, in a gesture that looked like a dig at the home fans.

Jerry Flannery’s reaction 😅pic.twitter.com/OHy16U587v

— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) November 22, 2025

However, he would clarify in his post-match press conference that he had been gesturing to a group of South Africa fans sitting in front of him:

No, there were South Africans sitting in front of us and saying thank you, and I said thank you back to them.

So, no, it was a thank you, to, to our people and, and we’ve got the respect for the way the Irish people support their team because I think it was 19 games on the trot now [for South Africa] that in one year.

So it was for our guys, thank you for the support. You know, the Euro versus the Rand is not too strong, and for our people still to come out here, and you could still hear them…it was just a thank you

Make of that what you will.

Despite claiming the Springboks fans were “thanking” him during the game, Rassie said that he could not hear the crowd, saying the coaches’ boxes are soundproofed.

Erasmus was ecstatic to take his first win on Irish soil as South Africa coach, though he also buttered up the Irish side with platitudes on them “dominating” their head-to-head.

Wielding a beer as he emerged into the press conference room, Rassie said:

It’s nice, any beer is nice after a win, especially against a quality team like Ireland who’s totally dominated us since we’ve been a group together.

We know that they’re still, if you take the 5 games, they’re still, I think, 3-2 up against us.

We won’t get carried away with this, but yeah, the beer is a little bit sweeter and we’re just thankful.

Rassie also praised the Irish fans and the sense of occasion in a “brilliant” Aviva Stadium.

“This is a special stadium,” Erasmus said.

The crowd are special, you know, they’ve got manners when the kicker kicks.

I love the pre-match of the military band, I’m glad they gave RG a bit of a welcoming when he ran onto the field.

It will be a very happy Springboks camp returning to South Africa at the end of this November window, and Rassie Erasmus will be especially happy after scaling a personal Everest in finally winning in Dublin.

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