1961 Ireland rugby union tour of South Africa. Between 1906 and 1960 South Africa had played Ireland on five occasions. However all of these games had been played in Ireland. In 1960 South Africa had beaten Ireland 8–3 at Lansdowne Road. The following year Ireland embarked on their first tour of South Africa. Among the touring party was Tony O'Reilly who had previously toured South Africa with the British Lions in 1955. The tour began with a full international at Newlands Stadium which Ireland lost 24–8. Tom Kiernan scored all of Ireland's points with a try, a conversion and a penalty.^[1] Four members of this touring party – Niall Brophy, Tom Kiernan, Syd Millar and Bill Mulcahy – would return to South Africa with the British Lions in 1962. Kiernan, Millar and Ronnie Dawson, as a coach, would also return with the Lions in 1968.

1961 Ireland rugby union tour of South Africa
Summary	P W D L
Total	04 03 00 01
Test match	01 00 00 01
Opponent	P W D L
South Africa	1 0 0 1
Tour chronology
Previous tour	Chile & Argentina 1952
Next tour	Australia 1967