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 10-3 Ireland, 19 minutes
Ireland are just geting their details and drills wrong. Dan Sheehan hesitates waiting to throw a lineout and Ireland are free kicked.
The rules have changed, of course, with sides no longer permitted to scrum from a free kick. South Africa instead send something up to the heavens, which Ireland handle nicely.
PENALTY! SOUTH AFRICA 10-3 Ireland (Handre Pollard, 18 minutes)
Handre Pollard’s first kick in Test rugby since what proved to be the World Cup final winner is a good’un.
South Africa 7-3 Ireland, 16 minutes
This scrum skirmish is once more edged by Ireland, but Kwagga Smith and Faf de Klerk’s extraction is prompt. South Africa run out of steam as Jesse Kriel and Cheslin Kolbe attempt to connect on the right, but a lazy Joe McCarthy is done for not rolling away.
Posts is the call.
South Africa 7-3 Ireland, 16 minutes
Thankfully, Hensaw seems to be ok. Siya Kolisi checks on him, too, as he makes his way back into the Ireland defensive line.
South Africa 7-3 Ireland, 15 minutes
Eek! A shrill blast of the whistle from Luke Pearce as Robbie Henshaw thuds into the floor after a carrying Siya Kolisi’s shoulder makes heavy contact with his chin. Pearce rightly calls the game to a halt, fearing for Henshaw’s safety - there’s no foul play in the incident but two medics come on to check the centre, who is back on his feet, out.
South Africa 7-3 Ireland, 15 minutes
Width again in the South African attack as Jesse Kriel is sent up on a crash after a pass across Damian de Allende’s face. Jamie Osborne then does very well to scramble back into position and smother a kick; South Africa clearly feel they can get joy with those prods behind today.
PENALTY! South Africa 7-3 IRELAND (Jack Crowley, 13 minutes)
Beautifully done. A lovely start from the tee from Jack Crowley to get Ireland on the board.
South Africa 7-0 Ireland, 11 minutes
South Africa 7-0 Ireland, 12 minutes
A second penalty against South Africa, and this one is kickable. Jack Crowley will line up the posts from around about the ten-metre - distance won’t be an issue at altitude.
South Africa 7-0 Ireland, 11 minutes
Loose again from Kwagga Smith. A second spill of the first 11 minutes and Kurt-Lee Arendse then compounds the error by tripping over Smith. Ireland’s penalty.
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