At what stage do we believe in the favourites' tag?

There were contrasting fortunes after the Test match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva stadium on Saturday evening.

Ireland passed a vital test in this World Cup cycle.

Although not counting towards anything but a confidence boost ahead of the tournament, questions were answered about the group's ability against the physically dominant and reigning world champions.

There was a huge contrast between the half-backs on both sides. Arguably, if South Africa had an experienced out-half, they would have controlled their game a bit better and forced more scoreboard pressure on Ireland.

Damian Willemse is a great athlete and player, but he didn’t look like the out-half that will allow South Africa to challenge for back-to-back World Cup successes.

Ireland’s half-backs were easily in more control of the game. Both-scrum halves had very positive contributions but unfortunately for Conor Murray, his well-deserved 100th cap was cut short after he scythed through the South African lineout defence.

His groin looked to give up on him as he battled through a long passage of play before being replaced by Jamison Gibson-Park who brought the game to another level. Gibson-Park will now resume his place in the starting 15 and Murray will have to fight for his opportunity once again after he clears up his injury.

Of even more concern and frustration was the injury to Stuart McCloskey. He has waited an agonising amount of time to play in such a crucial tie for Ireland.

He has been out of favour at a time when Ireland have boasted serious depth in their centre partnerships and with a late Robbie Henshaw injury, coupled with Bundee Aki’s suspension, McCloskey was the beneficiary of a huge opportunity to prove his worth.

And prove his worth is