If the bubble wasn’t burst by finishing third in last year’s Six Nations, or by the harrowing defeats to the All Blacks and the Springboks in November, then it definitely was after the 24 hours between Thursday night in Paris and Friday night in Limerick. What makes the current Springboks side so remarkable is that they have been on top since the 2019 World Cup in Japan and don’t look like they are stopping. Most teams have peaks and troughs and we are certainly in, or heading into, a dip.

Source: Irish Independent February 08, 2026 10:02 UTC