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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 58 minutes
A penalty against Fiji and Scotland will go again at the lineout.
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.
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.
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