South Africa v Ireland LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 result and final score as Irish outmuscle Springboks
World No 1 side Ireland beat defending world champions South Africa in Paris in perhaps the biggest game of the pool stage
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Ireland underlined their status as the number one team in the world with a bruising 13-8 Rugby World Cup victory over defending champions South Africa in Paris on Saturday, though the Springboks will rue their inaccuracy off the kicking tee.
Ireland scored their only try in the first half through wing Mack Hansen as he found some rare space out wide and led 7-3 at the break but had to withstand a barrage of Springbok pressure in the second half amid a raucous atmosphere.
South Africa’s only try came from winger Cheslin Kolbe but they missed the conversion and three penalty chances to highlight their goal-kicking woes and perhaps hasten the return of experienced fly-half Handre Pollard to the team.
Ireland will be odds-on to win the pool as they claimed a 16th test win in a row, while South Africa suffer defeat in a World Cup game for the first time in nine matches and will likely have to beat Tonga in their final group game on 1 October.
Follow all of the reaction from Stade de France. Plus get the latest Rugby World Cup odds here and tips on Ireland vs South Africa here.
South Africa vs Ireland LIVE – Rugby World Cup
The players are out on the pitch – they jog out either side of the Webb Ellis Trophy: what odds on the winner of this match collecting that historic cup in a few weeks’ time? Here come the anthems...
South Africa vs Ireland
From our reporter Luke Baker in Paris:
The atmosphere is raucous inside the Stade de France. As the teams are read out, it’s clear that Irish fans are outnumbering their South African counterparts, although both are out in force. Johnny Sexton receives a thunderous ovation as he’s announced, easily the biggest of all the players, although Bundee Aki isn’t too far behind. Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi with the biggest roar from a South African perspective. The anthems could well rock the foundations of the Eiffel Tower about 12km away...
South Africa vs Ireland LIVE – Rugby World Cup
There has been lots of debate in the build-up to this one about South Africa’s 7-1 split of forwards to backs on the bench, something no other side is doing at this World Cup. The Springboks used it effectively to pulverise New Zealand a few weeks ago but it is “high risk”, says Bryan Habana on ITV, with an injury in the back line potentially leaving the team exposed. Some Irish commentators have called it “unfair” but Brian O’Driscoll says we wouldn’t be hearing those comments “if Ireland’s superpower was that forward strength and the shoe was on the other foot”.
Habana also thinks the first scrum of the match will be hugely telling and a “cliff-hanger” – I’m not sure that’s the phrase he’s looking for but you know what he means.
Talking points as Ireland take on South Africa
Farrell a big fan of “world-class” Sheehan
Ireland have been relatively fortunate with injuries so far. But the facial fracture which has cast doubt on France captain Antoine Dupont’s future participation in the tournament is a reminder to all teams of the potential risk of losing key players.
In a major boost, first-choice hooker Dan Sheehan is back on the bench this weekend, awaiting his first outing since sustaining a foot problem in last month’s warm-up win over England.
Sheehan has shone since making his Test debut less than two years ago. Farrell hailed the Leinster man as “world class” and his availability could make a major difference moving forward.
Talking points as Ireland take on South Africa
Home away from home
Following sojourns in Bordeaux and Nantes, Ireland will hope to make Paris a permanent home for the five next weeks. All of their remaining fixtures – up to five in total – will be staged at Stade de France.
The stadium has not been a particularly happy hunting ground in recent times. Two of the seven losses suffered in the 40 matches of Farrell’s reign have come in Saint-Denis: costly Six Nations defeats to France in 2020 and 2022.
Yet there will be a different complexion to this weekend’s game. Instead of enduring a partisan crowd, Ireland will be backed by around 30,000 travelling fans, giving a neutral venue the feel of a home fixture.
Talking points as Ireland take on South Africa
Quarter-finals calling
Ireland have the opportunity to secure a quarter-final spot with a game to spare, while South Africa could also take a significant step towards the last eight. The Six Nations champions have won seven of the last 11 meetings between the sides, including a 19-16 success in November.
Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus this week referenced the head-to-head results while also highlighting Ireland’s record of never having won a World Cup knockout match.
“A few of my friends said that Ireland is our bogey team, but the World Cup is Ireland’s bogey competition,” he said. The victors will almost certainly top Pool B and probably avoid hosts France in the next round.
Talking points as Ireland take on South Africa
Defusing the ‘Bomb Squad’
Much has been made of South Africa’s bold decision to stack their bench with a seven-one split of forwards and backs. The Springboks successfully deployed the unusual strategy in last month’s crushing 35-7 warm-up win over the All Blacks.
South Africa boss Jacques Nienaber has divided opinion by using it in a World Cup fixture for the first time, while a mocked-up image circulating on social media depicting rival coach Farrell in a blast suit has provided some amusement in the Ireland camp.
The former dual-code international talked down the significance of South Africa’s tactical statement of intent and urged his players to stick to their own strengths.
Talking points as Ireland take on South Africa
World No 1 versus world No 2
Test rugby’s top-ranked teams collide in one of the most eagerly anticipated pool stage matches in World Cup history.
Ireland have led the way since last summer’s historic tour success in New Zealand but face a heavyweight clash against the reigning champions early in the competition courtesy of the draw being made based on the rankings at the start of 2020.
Bookmakers have South Africa as marginal favourites, while Ireland head coach Farrell feels the rest of the world expects his side to lose. The Englishman is well aware of the fixture’s importance but insists it is not “do or die”.
Five-try Henry Arundell provides X-factor as England put Chile to the sword
Harry Latham-Coyle reports from Lille on England’s win over Chile:
For Henry Arundell, nothing could break a sense of reverie. There are dream World Cup debuts and then there was this, Arundell becoming only the fourth Englishman to score five tries in a single match as Chile were put to the sword. Who knows what the future holds for a player still with years, but aside from a sip from the Webb Ellis Cup, this first experience of tournament rugby will surely not be topped.
Full story:
Five-try Henry Arundell provides X-factor as England put Chile to the sword
England 71-0 Chile: The 20-year-old wing became only the fourth Englishman to score five tries in a single match
South Africa vs Ireland referee
Who is Rugby World Cup official Ben O’Keeffe? Here’s a closer look at the man in the middle tonight:
South Africa vs Ireland referee: Who is Rugby World Cup official Ben O’Keeffe?
The New Zealander is one of the officials at the tournament
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