'Rassie hates the Irish. He really doesn’t like us, which is quite funny' - Simon Zebo

Munster star Simon Zebo has become the latest player to weigh in on the upcoming two-test series between Ireland and South Africa.

Following interviews by Eben Etzebeth, Damian De Allende and Cheslin Kolbe where the Springbok stars all took aim at Irish Rugby, Zebo offered his view on the upcoming series.

Joining former Wallabies Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and Adam Ashley-Cooper on their podcast ‘Kick Offs and Kick Ons’ podcast, Zebo delved into the topic.

“He [De Allende] had a few headlines for sure,” Zebo said of his former Munster teammate.

“But to be fair to his point the media probably did get a bit out of control with the hopes and expectations.

“It was a little bit extra around South Africa because Rassie had coached us here at Munster, and Jacques Nienaber is now coaching at Leinster, and there is a big rivalry.

In what was the most eye-raising moment of the conversation, Zebo spoke about his former Munster coach, Rassie Erasmus, who, of course, has led the Springboks to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles.

“Rassie hates the Irish. He really doesn’t like us, which is quite funny.

“It will build up even more and it drip feeds into the players.

“RG Snyman and Jean Kleyn have been copping a little bit of flak over it.

“There is a really big rivalry there and it is bubbling. It’s mainly the Irish media’s fault, based in Dublin, not the Irish media down here where I am [in Limerick].

“It’s going to be a juicy Test series for sure.”