Ireland have romped their way through this year's Six Nations and have the potential to wrap up the trophy with a week to spare in this weekend's game against England.
Andy Farrell's side go to Twickenham on Saturday knowing that a bonus-point victory will secure them back-to-back titles, and give them a shot at becoming the first team of the Six Nations era to win consecutive Grand Slams.
The domination Ireland have enjoyed during this year's tournament has been extraordinary, with the opening night bonus-point victory away to France laying down a marker for the remainder of the tournament.
Despite their quarter-final exit at last year's World Cup, Ireland's performances during the Six Nations have led many to put them forward as the best team in the world. Wales legend Sam Warburton said as much last month, and England head coach Steve Borthwick affirmed his belief that Ireland are the best in the world ahead of leading his team into battle against them in London this weekend.
Ex-Stormers head coach and former Springbok Robbie Fleck has laughed off such suggestions, saying that Ireland can only be judged when they come up against top-class opposition.
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Ex-Springbok bemoans lack of competition for Ireland in Six Nations
Appearing on RugbyPass's 'Boks Office' podcast, Fleck was asked for his opinion on the Six Nations so far and said that he felt the rest of the sides in the Six Nations had not offered enough of a challenge to the Irish team.
You need the traditional guys to be strong. England, France have been disappointing. There's only one team in it, really. Patches of brilliance from Scotland...but there's no real competition for Ireland, which has been quite frustrating and disappointing to be honest.
For now, the Six Nations has been disappointing in terms of the overall product.
There's one really good, genuine side in the Irish team - and they deserve that, they're very, very well coached, they have quality players.
Fleck then went on to suggest that Ireland can only be judged as the best team in the world when they come up against South Africa once again this summer:
Everyone talks about the Irish now being number one in the world - which they can't be, because they're not playing against quality opposition, in my opinion. We'll see when they play South Africa in the summer tests.
23 September 2023; Damian Willemse of South Africa is dragged away from speaking to Jonathan Sexton of Ireland after the first South African try during the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Ireland at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Ireland beat the Springboks during last year's World Cup group stage, though New Zealand would ultimately eliminate them in the last eight. The Boks went on to beat the All Blacks in the final to claim a fourth World Cup crown, marking them out as world leaders.
The two sides will be reunited in July with a two-test series on South African soil. Ireland will likely enter that tour as Six Nations champions, facing off with the World Cup winners in a mouthwatering prospect for rugby fans.
There's no denying the truth in Fleck's comments - Ireland have been streets ahead of any other team in this year's Six Nations, though it remains to be seen if they will be able to overcome the Springboks on their home turf this summer. Should they do so, the debates about the world's best team may well be put to bed.
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