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 14:19 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 55 minutes

That’s a strong jackal from Jack Dempsey, finding his feet in a Scotland shirt after his previous international life for Australia. Over the top of a tackled Fijian he clamps to earn a penalty. Scotland kick up further into Fijian territory as they seek a fourth.

[5 November 2022 14:18 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 53 minutes

Fiji’s lineout will need some beautification next week - another nasty one just about ends up in the safe embrace of one of those in white. But the visitors struggle to generate any pep, and a rather aimless kick is gathered by Duhan van der Merwe, who claims a mark.

[5 November 2022 14:17 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 52 minutes

A third debut of the day for Fiji: Livai Natave replaces Eroni Mawi. Scotland make a handful of changes, too - enter Ben White, Rory Sutherland and Jack Dempsey.

[5 November 2022 14:13 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! SCOTLAND 21-12 Fiji (Duhan van der Merwe, 50 minutes)

Duhan van der Merwe crashes over on the left! Fiji’s maul defence is much improved as they keep the Scottish eight from making more than a metre. Ali Price thus extracts the ball, Cameron Redpath dancing between Fiji’s heavy mob to about two metres out.

A Fijian player fails to roll away, robbing a teammate of a picture-perfect jackal turnover penalty, and Scotland have the advantage. Through the hands it goes, Chris Harris missing out Stuart Hogg to find his wing, and the hulking Van der Merwe bashes through Sireli Maqala to score Scotland’s third try. The conversion goes over.

[5 November 2022 14:12 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 14-12 Fiji, 47 minutes

Good from Scotland, using the maul to drive Fiji back from a lineout just outside the 22. Their progress is stalled by a Fijian collapse - Blair Kinghorn stabs into the corner.

[5 November 2022 14:10 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 14-12 Fiji, 46 minutes

A penalty at the scrum allows Scotland to clear to touch. Ali Price looks to the skies...and down it comes in the arm of Duhan van der Merwe with the Fijian backfield static.

Out to the right, space for Stuart Hogg. Onwards to Darcy Graham, who is just about lassoed at the hips by Vinaya Habosi, who uses his momentum to take Graham into touch.

[5 November 2022 14:08 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 14-12 Fiji, 43 minutes

Another Fiji chance goes awry! Hamish Watson and Ewan Ashman combine to stand up Albert Tuisue at a canter, but two phases later it appears Levani Botia might be in the corner as the ball is worked wide.

A forward pass means Botia’s nifty dive inside the flag is in vain.

[5 November 2022 14:07 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 14-12 Fiji, 42 minutes

Biff! That is a mighty hit from Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, technically absolutely perfect as he rearranges Adam Hastings’ midriff. In comes a teammate to earn the holding on penalty, and Hastings is sufficiently shaken to be forced from the field. Blair Kinghorn trots on with Fiji into the Scotland 22.

[5 November 2022 14:05 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland 14-12 Fiji, 41 minutes

Botitu kicks long to Darcy Graham, who shows his deceptive strength by pinballing between three tacklers to make ten metres after first contact.

Scotland kick up towards halfway, from where the Fijian heavy artillery will go back to work. Botitu produces a floated miss ball to Waisea Nayacalevu, but Chris Harris tracks the flght and gathers his opposite number as he collects, ushering him out into touch.

[5 November 2022 14:02 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

H/T: Scotland 14-12 Fiji

Right, the players are back out there at Murrayfield. Can Fiji remain right in this? Vilimoni Botitu will get us restarted as a sour-faced Gregor Townsend is shown on the big screen.