Stuart McCloskey has acknowledged what Springbok supporters have clearly enjoyed: South Africa's adoption of 'Zombie' as a wind-up tool has genuinely irritated the Irish. The Cranberries anthem was Ireland's soundtrack at the 2023 World Cup, and Bok fans have been gleefully reclaiming it ever since — particularly in URC derbies. McCloskey's comments on the For the Love of Rugby podcast frame the broader shift in this rivalry: the URC crossover has turned what was once a respectful Test rivalry into something with real edge and 'grittiness,' as he puts it. He still characterises the fanbases as largely cordial — 'we've not got to fighting them yet' — but the psychological jousting is clearly landing. His read is that Ireland beating the Boks in the pool stages, only for South Africa to lift the trophy, was the accelerant. The piece is essentially a candid admission from the Irish side that the Bok faithful have found an effective needle — and are using it.
McCloskey admits 'Zombie' has gotten under Irish skin — and Bok fans know it
McCloskey openly admits the Springbok fanbase's 'Zombie' takeover has gotten under Irish skin, framing it as part of a rivalry that's grown noticeably edgier since South Africa joined the URC.
Springbok Recall! Relive Phepsi Buthelezi's 2025/26 Season
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Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
Back in Green & Gold: The Best of Phepsi Buthelezi ⭐
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Keo & Zels: Are you feeling the Bok fever, like us?
The boys reflect on URC semi-finals, but what they really want to talk about is the Boks.
McCloskey: 'South Africans just hate the Irish'
Stuart McCloskey says South Africans 'just hate the Irish' more than it goes the other way, pointing to the URC, the 2023 World Cup clash, and even a stolen anthem as fuel for a rivalry he sees as increasingly replacing England and New Zealand as Ireland's defining one.