South Africa v Ireland LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Springboks survive crazy finish to win first Test
South Africa 27-20 Ireland: The Springboks secured their first win over the Six Nations winners in eight years at Loftus Versfeld
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Your support makes all the difference.South Africa emerged on top from a crazy contest against Ireland in Pretoria as the World Cup winners marked their homecoming with victory in the first Test of a potentially thrilling series.
The Springboks secured their first win over Ireland in eight years at Loftus Versfeld, with their bench impactful in a contest punctuated by a serious injury to Ireland scrum half Craig Casey. After a long delay, Cheslin Kolbe pounced on a James Lowe error to put the hosts in control, with a late shove-over scrum score engineered by South Africa’s Bomb Squad sealing the win despite a late Irish rally.
Lowe had earlier been denied by a tight call from the television match official having seemingly put Ireland in front in the second half. Ireland, however, were deemed to have infringed at the breakdown prior to Lowe’s canter up the left touchline, with referee Luke Pearce chalking the score off.
It means Andy Farrell’s side will head to Durban next week down 1-0 in the two-Test series and hoping to hit back after an encounter that delivered on the spite and spice anticipated as two familiar foes re-ignited their rivalry.
Re-live all of the action rom South Africa vs Ireland below:
South Africa 13-8 Ireland, 65 minutes
This is a long delay, the medics rightly making sure that due care is taken with every action in a difficult situation. A moment to remember just how tough this sport is, and what the players put themselves through.
South Africa 13-8 Ireland, 65 minutes
Conor Murray is on and waiting, looking on anxiously as his Munster mate is attended to.
South Africa 13-8 Ireland, 64 minutes
On rush the medics, putting Casey in the recovery position and ensuring that the stretcher and oxygen are ready. Let us hope that is not as serious as it looks.
South Africa 13-8 Ireland, 63 minutes
Oh no. Oh no, oh no. Craig Casey looks to be knocked out, his head having slammed back into the turf as RG Snyman drove him back past the ball.
It’s not an illegal challenge, but the outcome is horrible, and Snyman perhaps could have released the scrum half sooner. This is really worrying.
South Africa 13-8 Ireland, 63 minutes
Andrew Porter is back, surprisingly, having clearly overcome that earlier injury. Cian Healy traipses off again; Finlay Bealham is on for Tadhg Furlong, too.
Missed penalty! South Africa 13-8 Ireland, 61 minutes
How pivotal a moment might that be? Fortunately for Ireland, Handre Pollard can’t bisect ‘em from a tough kick, 55 out on the angle.
NO TRY! South Africa 13-8 Ireland, 60 minutes
A sensational solo score from James Lowe!
Vintage Lowe! Ireland pile bodies in to a ruck just beyond halfway, and South Africa have to thrown men in to resource it. The ball pops free and Craig Casey finds Lowe on a now under-resourced blindside. The wing gets his sprinting spikes on, throwing in that piston-like fend to bat away the last defender.
But the TMO wants to check it! And it’ll all be for nought! Ireland are deemed to have infringed in their winning back of the ball and the try is chalked off!
South Africa 13-8 Ireland, 56 minutes
Bench impact! In Malcolm Marx and Marco van Staden, South Africa have brought on probably their two best breakdown operators, and the pair combine to earn a penalty out of a stranded Irishman with the supporting clearout men slow to come.
South Africa 13-8 Ireland, 55 minutes
That’s a bit of a worry for Ireland, though. Andrew Porter is being helped off with his arm clearly in some discomfort. Cian Healy winces as he passes his stricken mate, the veteran with 30 minutes to survive.
He’s into a scrum quickly, too, as Ireland earn one in advanced South Africa territory. It’s unsteady as Craig Casey waits to feed, and Caelan Doris wastes no time in springing away.
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