South Africa v Ireland: How to watch, TV channel, kick-off time, head-to-head stats and team news

The top two nations in the game go head-to-head in a hotly-anticipated friendly in Pretoria, as reigning world champions South Africa take on an Ireland side who recently retained their Six Nations crown.

This is the first of a two-match series being played across South Africa, with the second test due to take place at Kings Park in Durban on July 16th.

How to watch South Africa v Ireland and TV channel

South Africa v Ireland is available to watch like in the UK and Ireland and will be broadcast on both Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action.

South Africa v Ireland kick-off time, date and venue

South Africa v Ireland will take place at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria - home to URC side Bulls - and will kick-off at 16:00 BST on Saturday 6th July 2024.

South Africa v Ireland stats and head-to-head record (H2H)

The Springboks have the far superior head-to-head record with 18 wins from their 28 total meetings in all competitions, however, this will be only their second international fixture since lifting the Rugby World Cup back in October 2023.

Their route to success last year saw the Springboks face Ireland in Pool B and it was the Irish who came out on top 13-8 in Paris, making it three consecutive head-to-head victories for them in this fixture.

South Africa v Ireland head-to-head record (H2H)

South Africa wins	18
Draws	1
Ireland wins	9

*H2H stats refer to all competitions

Read the latest tips, predictions and odds for South Africa v Ireland

South Africa v Ireland team news

South Africa team news

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus will be missing a number of key players, with wingers Makazole Mapimpi and Edwill van der Merwe both expected to miss the first test through injury.

There are also a number of notable absentees in the scrum, with Jean Kleyn, Lood de Jager and Steven Kitshoff all unavailable.

However, captain Siya Kolisi is back in the side after missing the recent friendly victory over Wales.

Ireland team news

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell also has a number of injury issues affecting his squad heading into this test, with Jamison Gibson-Park and Mack Hansen both out, as well as Ulster captain Iain Henderson.

Hugo Keenan is unavailable as he prepares to represent his country in rugby sevens in the upcoming Paris Olympics, while Jack Conan has also removed himself from selection due to personal reasons.