Springboks Win Frantic Encounter In Dublin

The Springboks finally laid the ghost of Dublin to rest, defeating Ireland for the first time in 13 years – the last victory coming way back in 2012.

In a frenzied, chaotic game in which the first half lasted almost an hour, the Rugby World Cup Champions produced a superlative effort that saw them run out 24-13 victors in front of a capacity crowd at the Aviva Stadium. 

With a healthy contingent of South Africans in the crowd, both sets of supporters blared out their respective national anthems.

In the fourth minute, Pieter-Steph Du Toit secured the lineout before Damian De Allende broke the Irish defensive line – with numbers in their favour, Damian Willemse touched down in acrobatic fashion to give the Springboks the first points on the board.

In a contentious moment, the Irish bemoaned a Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu tackle on Tommy O’Brien; however, referee Matthew Carley believed there was an attempt to wrap his arms in the tackle and withheld the yellow card but gave Ireland a penalty.

Ireland launched an attack on the Springbok 22 thereafter, but the Rugby World Cup Champions showcased their immense defensive strength and structure to keep the Irish at bay. 

Sam Prendergast had a great opportunity to put Ireland on the scoreboard, but hooked his 19th-minute penalty to the left as it rattled the post. 

Pandemonium ensued in the aftermath as Ireland thought they had scored a try by Tadgh Beirne; however, James Ryan received a yellow card for an illegal clean-out and a head-on-head challenge on Malcolm Marx, which the referee adjudged to be a ‘glance.’

The 25th minute saw the Rugby Championship winners work the ball through the hands before collecting a pick-and-go and scoring. Boan Venter’s try was ruled out, however, due to a forward pass from Jasper Wiese to Ruan Nortje in the build-up. Ireland were let off the hook as South Africa sought to increase their lead. 

James Ryan’s earlier yellow card was upgraded to a 20-minute red card in the 27th minute.

The Rugby World Cup Champions were dominating Ireland in the scrum, and they made it count. The Springboks took advantage of constant Irish infringements when Cobus Reinach made a sharp, darting run that exploited a gap in the Irish defence.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu slotted the conversion and the Rugby World Cup Champions extended their lead to 12-0. 

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Sam Prendergast was sent to the sin-bin as Ireland were further reduced to 13 men. 

Despite that, Ireland showed amazing resolve as Dan Sheehan scored against all odds with Jack Crowley converting the penalty to reduce the deficit to five points, 12-7.

Ireland’s infringements bordered on cynical as Jack Crowley and Andrew Porter were both sent to the sin-bin on the stroke of half-time.

With Ireland getting battered in the scrums, referee Carley had no other option but to award the Springboks a penalty try to bring an end to a frenetic first half.

HALF-TIME: SOUTH AFRICA 19-7 IRELAND

Sam Prendergast scored the first points of the second half as Ireland reduced the deficit to nine points. South Africa ahead 19-10.

The Springboks continued to win penalties from the scrum as Feinberg-Mngomezulu received the ball and gladly handed off Jamison Gibson-Park to sell a wonderful dummy and glide through for an exceptional try. 

The subsequent conversion was missed, but the Springboks increased their ascendancy, 24-10.

RG Snyman replaced Eben Etzebeth in the 50th minute for his 50th Springbok appearance. 

Prendergast slotted another penalty in the 56th minute, taking the scores to 24-13. 

Feinberg-Mngomezulu and captain Siya Kolisi were replaced in the 58th minute by Manie Libbok and Andre Esterhuizen, who slotted in at flank.

Ireland showed great heart and tenacity as they defended their try-line with immense valour despite being bombarded with pressure. 

With the clock winding down, Ireland gained a second wind, gaining crucial territory. The barrage of pressure the Springboks forced on Ireland was now reversed as the Irish laid siege to the try-line. 

Grant Williams was sent to the sin-bin with Ireland desperate to score. 

In the end, it was not enough as Ireland succumbed to defeat.

The Rugby World Cup champions have now won three out of three during the Autumn Nations Series and will hope to end their tour to Europe unbeaten when they face Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff next Saturday.