Low blow.

Ireland and South Africa will battle it out this weekend in what is arguably the biggest game of the 2023 Rugby World Cup so far – and the mind games have already begun between the two sides.

Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus knows Irish Rugby all too well, having had a hugely successful stint in charge of Munster alongside Jacques Nienaber, but it’s the Irish who have had the upper hand in recent memory

Victory over the Boks in Dublin last November will no doubt instill confidence in Andy Farrell’s side ahead of this weekend’s mammoth clash, but have Ireland become South Africa’s ‘bogey’ side?

Rassie Erasmus was asked that question this week and his response was below the belt, but at the same time – he’s not wrong!

“I was thinking about that when I read a few things on social media,” Erasmus said when asked about Ireland’s Rugby World Cup record.

“A few of my friends said that Ireland is our bogey team, but the World Cup is Ireland’s bogey competition.”

No doubt this is only the beginning of what’s to come in the build-up this week. Who do you think will emerge victorious on Saturday?