President Cyril Ramaphosa humorously engaged with Ireland’s Prime Minister Michael Martin regarding the Springboks’ recent triumph over Ireland amidst the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. This lighthearted exchange followed South Africa’s commanding 24-13 victory against their rugby rivals at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, marking their first win in the Irish capital in 13 years.

President Ramaphosa took to X (formerly Twitter) to playfully boast about the Springboks’ success. He recounted receiving a thoughtful gift – an Ireland rugby shirt signed by the Irish national team – from Prime Minister Martin. In his post, Ramaphosa stated, “There’s the G20. And then there are the formidable rugby XVs of South Africa and Ireland. This evening, as we sat down to dinner at the end of day one of the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit, Taoiseach of Ireland @MichealMartinTD presented me with the thoughtful and special gift of an Ireland shirt signed by the Irish national team.” He assured his counterpart that the strong bonds between their nations would easily withstand a Springbok victory. This wasn't the first instance of the President celebrating the Springboks with global leaders, having previously expressed pride in the team during visits to the White House and meetings with Japanese delegates.

The Springboks’ decisive win significantly impacted the latest World Rugby rankings, providing considerable breathing space between them and their international competitors. Following their victory, South Africa accrued an additional 0.88 points, elevating their total to 93.94 points. This places them a clear 3.61 points ahead of their rivals, the All Blacks, who currently hold the second position with 90.33 points. England follows in third with 89.09 points, while Ireland dropped to fourth with 87.97 points, and France occupies fifth with 87.07 points. The Springboks are now assured of concluding the 2025 season as the world's number one ranked team.

Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, a clip of Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus giving Irish rugby fans a jovial thumbs-up after the match went viral on social media. Seated in the staff box, the 53-year-old coach, with an animated expression, gleefully gestured to the fans before departing. He later posted “Love you” on X, accompanied by the South African flag emoji. This celebration was particularly notable given that Irish fans had booed the visiting team throughout much of the game, with RG Snyman, who plays for Irish club Leinster and celebrated his 50th test cap, receiving a significant portion of the crowd's jeers.

This triumph was a significant milestone for Rassie Erasmus’s Springboks, described as one of the last remaining ‘unticked boxes’ for the team. The victory was secured through a relentless physical onslaught, primarily driven by forward dominance, complemented by moments of individual brilliance from the backs. Key players showcased exceptional performances: the Bok props, including starters Boan Venter and Thomas du Toit, along with replacements Gerhard Steenekamp and Wilco Louw, reaffirmed their status as the world’s premier scrummaging unit. Thomas du Toit notably made a crucial try-saving turnover in defence. Jasper Wiese, the first-choice No. 8, was instrumental as the primary ball-carrier, a constant threat at the breakdown, and exhibited strong tackling. Malcolm Marx continued his impressive form, demonstrating brutal physicality, accuracy at the lineout, and significant defensive contributions, making him one of the standout players on the field.