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 7-12 Fiji, 31 minutes
Before the scrum, an enforced change for Scotland - having lost Dave Cherry during the week, George Turner is forced off, with Ewan Ashman on at hooker, and straight into the scrummaging fray.
Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 31 minutes
Another firm shove from the Fijian scrum, and Scotland are offside. The visitors will scrum again, ten metres further infield.
Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 29 minutes
Up go a jumper from each team, and down they come clasping the ball together. Nic Berry urges Richie Gray to leave it, but he’s buried beneath the bodies and won’t be able to extricate himself - Fiji scrum against a 14-man Scottish defence.
Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 28 minutes
Breathless stuff in the last five minutes. Scotland have rather played into Fiji’s hands - a scrum penalty might settle things a little, with Ali Price ready to feed.
Stable from both sides to start, and then Scotland are penalised! Eroni Mawi, considered by many in Fiji to be the best prop prospect to emerge in the last five years, forces Zander Fagerson to turn in.
Vilimoni Botitu gives his hooker a five-metre lineout throw with a perfectly placed kick.
Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 28 minutes
A real broken feel to proceedings all of a sudden. Vilimoni Botitu somewhat surprisingly eschews what appears to be an overlap to turn Adam Hastings with a clever diagonal kick, but he’ll have a go now, with Zander Fagerson isolated in space.
Botitu puts his foot down and tries to put away Waisea Nayacalevu...but the pass slips through the hands and goes forward into touch.
Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 26 minutes
Off go Fiji again! Break up the right, break up the left, Vinaya Habosi nearly bursting through Adam Hastings.
Viliame Mata just about holds on to an offload. Can Fiji make the position count again? No! An errant pass and Grant Gilchrist has it. Scotland just about survive.
TRY! Scotland 7-12 FIJI (Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, 24 minutes)
Another try and Fiji lead! The lineout again looks a mess but ends up with the desired outcome as the Fijian midfield make dents. Viliame Mata brushes away two defenders, and there is another advantage coming as Levani Botia burrows between two defenders.
Botia goes closer still, and Ratu Leone Rotuisolia wriggles his way over for a debut score.
A change of kicker to Vilimoni Botitu - who nails the touchline conversion.
And Scotland drop to 14 men - Stuart Hogg is sent to the sin bin for persistent infringes. Fiji firmly on top.
Scotland 7-5 Fiji, 22 minutes
Nic Berry’s arm is out again. Two more infringements by Scotland, including a third or fourth offside, and that necessitates a chat between the Australian referee and Jamie Ritchie, who trudges back to advise his team to buck their ideas up. Fiji back into advanced territory.
Scotland 7-5 Fiji, 20 minutes
And another error from Scotland - Stuart Hogg gets slightly isolated in the carry and Chris Harris’ clearout is rather dangerous, tilting and toppling a Fijian jackler on to his head.
Somewhat surprisingly, there is no further look to see if there is need for greater sanction - and Fiji miss touch with the penalty.
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