Ireland coach Andy Farrell ‘does not care’ which rugby nation is best after Springboks win

DURBAN – Ireland coach Andy Farrell said he does not care which team are the best in the world following a last-gasp 25-24 win over world No. 1 South Africa on July 13.

Victory for second-ranked Ireland in a Durban thriller levelled the two-Test series after the Rugby World Cup holders won by seven points in Pretoria on July 6.

“I honestly do not care who the best team in the world are,” said Englishman Farrell after taking charge of the Six Nations champions for the 50th time.

“You would not want to separate these teams and there are probably three or four other countries who come into the conversation.

“World rugby is in a good state when we have this sort of competition.”

South Africa completed back-to-back World Cup victories in October 2023, having recovered from losing to Ireland in the pool stage.

Farrell highlighted the character of his team after replacement fly-half Ciaran Frawley kicked two long-range drop goals in the last 10 minutes, including one on the final hooter, to snatch a series-levelling win. Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray scored the only try of the game, with all the Springboks’ points coming via the boot of Handre Pollard.

It was just the second time Ireland have won a Test in 11 attempts in South Africa, with the first in Cape Town eight years ago.

“As far as drama goes and with the pressure we put on ourselves because we were not happy with last week’s performance, this result is right up there,” said Farrell.

“It came against a magnificent team. We had to come out and perform and the character of the team came through. That is what sport is all about.

“Our tussles with South Africa have been immense and we had to show guts, bravery and composure tonight.

“Our first half was outstanding, as good as it gets, but in the second half we made enough mistakes to last us three games.”

Having won the first Test 27-20, South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus was humble in defeat.

“It was a very well-executed drop goal that made the difference, but I’m not surprised because that is what Ireland do – it is why they are such a consistent team,” he said.

“The best team won and I thought the referee (Karl Dickson from England) was good tonight as well.

“But if that drop goal had missed, then we would have been sitting here with big smiles and talking about what a good comeback to win the series 2-0.”

Meanwhile, France captain Baptiste Serin said on July 13 his side had experienced a “terrible” week following a 33-25 defeat by Argentina in Buenos Aires, which came hours after two members of the visitors’ squad were charged with rape and beating a woman.

France forwards Hugo Auradou, 20, and flanker Oscar Jegou, 21, were arrested on July 8 and formally charged on July 12 after a woman accused them of raping her multiple times and beating her in a hotel room in the city of Mendoza on July 7 after the first Test.

The players have denied the accusations, and say sexual relations with the woman were consensual. AFP