LATEST UPDATE: A Springboks legend suggests that Ireland’s true capabilities can only be accurately assessed when they visit South Africa, attributing this belief to what they perceive as a substandard performance by Ireland in the Six Nations.

Rugby World Cup winner Joel Stransky believes that Ireland’s rise to the top of rugby should be put on hold until they face South Africa in July. Despite praise from Welsh greats Jonathan Davies and Sam Warburton and their heavy odds-on favoritism for a Grand Slam, Stransky feels it’s premature to crown them as the best in the sport.

While Stransky admires Ireland’s style of play, which he describes as the most beautiful in the world at the moment, he suggests that their true test will come when they visit South Africa. He points out the patchy quality of this year’s Six Nations tournament and suggests that the perceived dominance of Ireland may be influenced by the performance of other teams.

Although Ireland has a positive record against South Africa, including victories at the World Cup, they have yet to reach a World Cup semi-final, unlike the back-to-back champions, South Africa.

Stransky emphasizes that true greatness in rugby is demonstrated during critical moments, particularly in World Cup matches. He suggests that the upcoming Test encounters between Ireland and South Africa in July will be pivotal in determining the true hierarchy of rugby.

Stransky draws parallels between the anticipation surrounding South Africa’s upcoming tour to that of a once-in-12-years visit by the British and Irish Lions. He emphasizes the significance of this tour for Rassie Erasmus, Siya Kolisi, and the entire Springbok team, viewing it as an opportunity to assert their greatness following their Rugby World Cup victory.

He believes that while the series may not carry the same prestige as a World Cup, it holds immense importance for both teams in terms of their reputation and goals. Both South Africa and Ireland will be determined to prove themselves as the number one team in the world.

Before facing South Africa, Ireland must navigate past England and Scotland, both of whom present formidable challenges. Stransky rates Scotland highly but sees England as less of a threat, despite their impressive performance against South Africa in the World Cup.

Reflecting on England’s style of play, Stransky suggests that they are still in a period of evolution, trying to find their identity on the field. He emphasizes the importance of consistency in strategy and player selection to avoid being stuck in a tactical limbo.

Looking ahead, Stransky believes that Ireland will approach the match against England with utmost seriousness, ruling out any possibility of complacency or underestimation from Andy Farrell’s side. He acknowledges Ireland’s potential to secure their 12th consecutive Six Nations win and potentially achieve back-to-back Grand Slams, highlighting their focus and determination as key factors in their success.