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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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 13-3 Ireland, 34 minutes
Ireland now kick a penalty to the corner. Just a bit of pressure beginning to build on the Springboks, unable to escape their own end. Can the visitors make the territory count?
Missed penalty! South Africa 13-3 Ireland, 32 minutes
A disappointing miss from Jack Crowley. The fly half doesn’t get his strike right and three points slip by.
South Africa 13-3 Ireland, 30 minutes
Dan Sheehan’s left leg already has a healthy amount of strapping on it, and the Ireland hooker is getting more tape and protection before we resume. That doesn’t feel a particularly promising sign, Sheehan sporting a mummified knee as he re-joins his team mates.
PENALTY! SOUTH AFRICA 13-3 Ireland (Handre Pollard, 29 minutes)
A simple one for Handre Pollard to widen the Springboks’ advantage.
South Africa 10-3 Ireland, 28 minutes
That’s not legal from Andrew Porter, making a tackle while part of a ruck and off his feet. This should be three more points...
South Africa 10-3 Ireland, 26 minutes
Cheslin Kolbe is really holding his width on the right, stretching the Ireland defence. As forwards plough forth trying to make the most of the wing’s scamper, Caelan Doris is alive to a ball left alone on the floor and has the pilfering hands to pinch it.
That’s sloppy, though. Jack Crowley finds touch but the ball had been carried back into the 22.
South Africa 10-3 Ireland, 25 minutes
There’s definitely more variety about this South African attack today, Tony Brown’s touches clear as they work through their playbook. Handre Pollard is orchestrating well - it sometimes feels like his ability as a distributor goes under the radar given how good he is as a game manager.
The Springboks shove too soon at the scrum, allowing Jack Crowley to take his time and thump the free kick to touch.
South Africa 10-3 Ireland, 23 minutes
Both sides trade blows on halfway, before Damian de Allende sits down three Irish defenders to get South Africa going. And how they go! Cheslin Kolbe tightropes up the touchline after a neat offload from Pieter-Steph du Toit, getting into the Ireland 22.
But a canny hand from Craig Casey disrupts Faf de Klerk as he tries to fling away from the base. Knock on, Ireland’s scrum!
South Africa 10-3 Ireland, 22 minutes
Back down the two sets of burly blokes go for some more shoving. Faf de Klerk feeds, and South Africa re more stable, allowing the backs to go to work. Kurt-Lee Arendse loops round off his blindside wing with menace, but Willie le Roux is intercepted trying to switch direction back to the left. Dan Sheehan got his paws to it but couldn’t quite hold his feet - the hooker is seriously quick and might have accelerated away.
South Africa 10-3 Ireland, 20 minutes
Willie le Roux’s crossfield kick is delivered with a flatter trajectory, but Jamie Osborne watchfully shepherds it to touch with no chaser close enough to capitalise.
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