South Africa returns to home action after back-to-back World Cup wins, facing Ireland in a highly anticipated two-Test series. The Springboks, led by Rassie Erasmus, feature a formidable line-up including many World Cup champions, with a bench dominated by powerful forwards. Despite injuries, the Springboks aim to leverage their depth and experience. Ireland, under Andy Farrell, has a strong recent record against South Africa but will miss key players Hugo Keenan and Jamison Gibson-Park. The historical rivalry between the teams adds to the excitement, with previous encounters marked by intense physicality and even violence. This series may also be poignant as it could mark the end of traditional northern vs. southern hemisphere tours.