Ireland vs South Africa LIVE rugby: Result and final score in thrilling autumn international

Andy Farrell’s side put a marker down against the Springboks ahead of a World Cup rematch next year

(PA)

Ireland did enough to beat world champion South Africa 19-16 in an arm wrestle at Lansdowne Road on Saturday to justify its ascent to No. 1 in the rankings.

Ireland broke a 6-6 halftime deadlock with two tries in four minutes early in the second half, the first from a lineout maul by flanker Josh van der Flier and then a more expansive counterattack score from left wing Mack Hansen.

Ireland led 16-6 at that point and appeared set to see the game home, but South Africa bit back through replacement forward Franco Mostert and wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, whose try in the left corner with three minutes to go threatened an upset in Dublin.

Ireland didn’t let it happen and continued its impressive recent record at Lansdowne Road, where it has won three straight against the Springboks.

The result gave Ireland more confidence after it won an historic test series in New Zealand in July. It also struck a psychological blow for the Irish with the teams set to meet in the pool stage at next year’s Rugby World Cup in France.

Ireland vs South Africa latest updates

• YELLOW! Kolbe is sin-binned for a tip tackle, it’s dangerous and could have been red
• CLOSE! Sheehan nearly touches down after doing well to block Willemse’s clearance
• PENALTY! Kolbe converts to bring the Boks level before the break, 6-6
• TRY! A brilliant move from the hosts ends with Hansen going over, 16-6
• TRY! The Springboks produce their own sweeping move and Mostert cuts the deficit, 16-11
• PENALTY! Sexton takes an age, but eventually drills the kick to earn a crucial eight-point lead, 19-11
• TRY! Late drama as Arendse poaches a score in the corner, 19-16
• France vs Australia: Live updates to follow as World Cup hosts take on Wallabies

[5 November 2022 16:31 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! Wales 23-36 NEW ZEALAND (Aaron Smith, 53 minutes)

An audacious dummy from Ardie Savea and Aaron Smith is in for his second!

It’s a try-a-minute all of a sudden! New Zealand swiftly win the ball back deep in Welsh territory, and Savea produces a trademark exaggerated feint, hurling the ball up to his shoulder but no further, with Nicky Smith buying every bit of it.

The replacement prop grabs an ankle, but Savea’s offload sends in his scrum-half for another gleeful leap for the line.

(Getty Images)

[5 November 2022 16:30 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! WALES 23-29 New Zealand (Justin Tipuric try, 52 minutes)

Wayne Barnes’ can’t see an obvious knock on from either Priestland or Tipuric - the try stands!

That’s a big call. It looked, to me, like Tipuric never quite actually gathered the ball as he stooped to pick it up, using the turf to take some sort of control of it as he slid over before losing it again. But it was a try on the field, and TMO Brian MacNeice is content enough - Wales are right back in it!

[5 November 2022 16:27 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Try? Justin Tipuric collects and dives over but is there a knock-on in the build-up?

A box kick from Tomos Williams spills free from the arms of Richie Mo’unga and Rhys Priestland, jostling in the air, before Tipuric tries to scoop and score. There’s a suspicion that both might have gone forward from Welsh hands - the officials will have a look...

[5 November 2022 16:25 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Wales 16-29 New Zealand, 50 minutes

New Zealand have generally been pretty loose from Wales’ restarts today, and the All Blacks again grant the hosts possession after the game gets back underway.

[5 November 2022 16:21 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! Wales 16-29 NEW ZEALAND (Aaron Smith try, 47 minutes)

A sensational solo score from Aaron Smith!

That is a piece of brilliance from the veteran scrum-half, not a noted sniper but pinpoint here. New Zealand have an advantage and the Welsh fringe defenders are guilty of getting their eyes up early to those outside Smith, allowing him a chance to dance between them. Tommy Reffell and Dillon Lewis are left clutching at air.

Louis Rees-Zammit should grab in the backfield, but Smith darts off the right foot, jinking by the last defender and racing away from a retreating Alun Wyn Jones to slide in by the posts.

[5 November 2022 16:21 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

PENALTY! WALES 16-22 New Zealand (Gareth Anscombe penalty, 46 minutes)

Another simple one for Gareth Anscombe to close the gap further.

[5 November 2022 16:20 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Wales 13-22 New Zealand, 44 minutes

Penalty to Wales as the crowd’s energy lifts. Rhys Priestland rather wastes the advantage with a curious little stabbed grubber - back for a kick at goal.

[5 November 2022 16:19 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Wales 13-22 New Zealand, 43 minutes

Loose from New Zealand, and excellent attacking position for Wales! Aaron Smith throws a horrible skudder of a pass, Shannon Frizell knocking on at his ankles, and Taulupe Faletau ensures Tomos Williams’ fly-hack is a good’un, snatching the shoelaces of Beauden Barrett and rolling the New Zealand full-back into touch.

[5 November 2022 16:17 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Wales 13-22 New Zealand, 42 minutes

Each side feels the other out with a series of early second-half carries. A ball breaks favourably for Aaron Smith, who lifts a delicate box kick over the top, but Gareth Anscombe safely deals with a high hop, surviving Jordie Barrett’s tackle and allowing his teammates to clear.

[5 November 2022 16:16 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Back underway

Alun Wyn Jones is on at the half - Adam Beard has been removed as Wayne Pivac turns to his most experienced head. Dillon Lewis is on, too, with Tomas Francis not re-emerging.