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 14:34 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 66 minutes

That is Lomani’s final act. Peni Matawalu, younger brother of former Glasgow star Niko, comes on at scrum half.

[5 November 2022 14:33 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 64 minutes

It’s not quite clicking for Fiji. Frank Lomani searches for the right runner as a pod of forwards to his right over-run the play, and Levani Botia fails to hold on to Lomani’s slightly indeterminate fling.

[5 November 2022 14:31 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 63 minutes

A high tackle given against Scotland, now. It looks Jonny Gray is the man picked out - Teti Tela boots Fiji down into the 22.

[5 November 2022 14:30 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Yellow card! Vinaya Habosi is sent to the sin bin! Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 62 minutes

Oof, it’s not the nicest from Vinaya Habosi, his arm swinging through on to the jaw of Rory Sutherland. The officials mitigate down from red to yellow on the basis that Sutherland is stooped very low, and that the swinging arm brushes the replacement prop’s shoulder first.

[5 November 2022 14:28 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 62 minutes

A miscue from Fiji at the maul! Those set-piece errors have really cost the visitors this afternoon.

Vinaya Habosi then appears to make significant contact with the chin of a stooping Rory Sutherland - this will require another look from the officials.

[5 November 2022 14:27 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 61 minutes

A flying Fijian! That’s superb from Vinaya Habosi, first showing his vertical spring to beat a better positioned Darcy Graham in the air and then dancing the touchline tightrope, somehow keeping all his limbs in the field of play. Jamie Ritchie spots a loose ball and harpoons it, but it wasn’t quite out - Fiji penalty and into the Scotland 22.

One Gray replaces another - Jonny on, Richie off.

[5 November 2022 14:26 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 59 minutes

Roars of delight from Fiji - an outstanding, timely turnover from Albert Tuisue! Scotland break away from the maul, Jack Dempsey rather curiously electing to go it alone. Ewan Ashman can’t shift the broad shoulders of Tuisue, and appears to have entered from the side, anyway - Fiji penalty.

[5 November 2022 14:24 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 58 minutes

A penalty against Fiji and Scotland will go again at the lineout.

[5 November 2022 14:23 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 57 minutes

Teti Tela has had some passport trouble, and trained only twice ahead of this fixture, but Fiji felt the sole fly-half in their squad would be good to go from the bench - on he comes for Kalaveti Ravouvou, which will push Vilimoni Botitu one wider to the inside centre berth he more often occupies.

Scotland with a lineout five out on the right.

[5 November 2022 14:21 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 57 minutes

Brilliant from Darcy Graham, the will-o’-the-wisp glimpsed only fleetingly between the tall timbers of the Fijian forward as he jinks through.

Richie Gray takes a more direct route with the advantage coming. Ewan Ashman gets over - but the hooker is turtled and can’t get the ball down.

Held up, back for the penalty.