Ryan: New Zealand tour has given me confidence again

In the five years since Ireland and South Africa last met in Dublin, James Ryan's career has seen peaks and troughs.

When he came on as a second-half replacement in November 2017 to make his home debut for Ireland, he was taking the early steps on his remarkable run which saw him play 21 games for province and country before tasting defeat.

"My first season was surreal," said Ryan, looking back on the 2017/18 season.

"We won the Grand Slam, the double [with Leinster] and I remember other lads saying to me: 'enjoy this, cherish it, days like this don't come around too often'.

"I was thinking 'what's this fellah talking about? This is my first season, what's going to be different next year?'

"But they were right. Having had some days where things haven't gone as well for us as a team, I appreciate weeks like this more."

When Ireland won their maiden Test series against New Zealand in the summer, you can imagine Ryan was giving similar advice to the likes of Joe McCarthy or Cian Prendergast.

The 26-year-old has been through as many downs as ups in the years since; a painful World Cup experience with Ireland in 2019, a Lions snub in 2021, and most importantly an extended period of being stood down from the game due to concussion.

But he looked close to his best on the summer tour in New Zealand, as well putting in some solid performances in the early rounds of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

He will win his 47th Test cap against the Springboks, although the prospect of that seemed unlikely when he suffered what looked like a serious knee injury last month against Connacht (below).

Buckling over on his knee at a ruck, he instantly feared the worst. To his relief, as well as Ireland coach Andy Farrell, he was fit enough to play the