Defending world champions, the Springboks will be a major stumbling block in Ireland’s bid to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time, according to Schalk Brits.

Ireland are the world’s top-ranked team and reigning Six Nations champions, while the Boks are the World Cup title-holders, and the teams will clash on September 23, in Paris for their third pool match of the 2023 World Cup.

Former Bok hooker Brits, speaking on the RugbyPass Offload podcast this week, noted that Ireland’s historical struggle in the quarter-finals might provide an opportunity for opponents to gain confidence as the tournament progresses.

However, the 2019 World Cup winner believes the Boks, if they can dominate the Irish at the breakdown, can land the first telling blow to Andy Farrell’s charges.

“Ireland is going to be a toughie. Group stages… I think the focus will be on dominating the ruck. That will always be the focus, starving them of the ball,” Brits said.

“Ireland, Leinster, Munster, and Ulster – when they keep the ball, they don’t play an expansive game, but the structure they play is extremely good.

“I’d still back our boys. Ireland specifically, it’s just weird. They’ve never performed in a World Cup. I think, from our perspective, that belief will stay there until it’s proven different. They’ve always been great between World Cups, but when a World Cup comes…

“Unfortunately, belief is hard to change within a group. I hope Ireland and South Africa go through to the semis.”