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

(PA)

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.

Ireland vs South Africa latest updates

• YELLOW! Kolbe is sin-binned for a tip tackle, it’s dangerous and could have been red
• CLOSE! Sheehan nearly touches down after doing well to block Willemse’s clearance
• PENALTY! Kolbe converts to bring the Boks level before the break, 6-6
• TRY! A brilliant move from the hosts ends with Hansen going over, 16-6
• TRY! The Springboks produce their own sweeping move and Mostert cuts the deficit, 16-11
• PENALTY! Sexton takes an age, but eventually drills the kick to earn a crucial eight-point lead, 19-11
• TRY! Late drama as Arendse poaches a score in the corner, 19-16
• France vs Australia: Live updates to follow as World Cup hosts take on Wallabies

[5 November 2022 19:24 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 16-11 South Africa, 71 minutes

Johnny Sexton launches his latest firework, the debris coming down just short of South Africa’s 22, with the Springboks managing to smuggle the ball back their way.

[5 November 2022 19:22 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 16-11 South Africa, 70 minutes

This hasn’t been Damian Willemse’s best performance. He sails a kick out on the full, neither driving it for a 50:22 when the option appeared to be there nor sending up a tempter for those outside him to chase.

[5 November 2022 19:18 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! Ireland 16-11 SOUTH AFRICA (Franco Mostert try, 68 minutes)

The long arm of the lock gets there!

From nowhere, invention from South Africa. Cheslin Kolbe latches on to a grubber and releases Jesse Kriel, who hurls a desperate offload back to Kolbe as he is buffeted into touch. Kolbe is somehow hauled back by Jimmy O’Brien.

Franco Mostert won’t be denied, though, hitting a hole with advantage coming and using the full extension of those lengthy limbs to score.

The conversion...strikes the upright and stays out!

[5 November 2022 19:17 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Try? Ireland 16-6 South Africa, 67 minutes

At last life in South Africa’s play - has Franco Mostert managed to reach out for the line?

[5 November 2022 19:16 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 16-6 South Africa, 66 minutes

South Africa really aren’t helping themselves. Their punt for the corner misses touch, with Robert Baloucoune not even required to produce any contortions, rushing in to gather on the five-metre line.

[5 November 2022 19:15 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 16-6 South Africa, 65 minutes

Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Beirne take their (richly-earned) leave; Ireland bring on Rob Herring and Kieran Treadwell to ballast their tight five. Jamison Gibson-Park is now sporting a protective scrum cap after suffering a head wound - he feeds a stable Irish scrum, but produces another hashed box kick. Josh van der Flier gets to it, though, and strides away from danger.

The flanker goes all the way up towards halfway, where South Africa win a holding on penalty.

[5 November 2022 19:12 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 16-6 South Africa, 64 minutes

Makazola Mapimpi trots in, but there’s a forward pass!

Bright thinking from Kwagga Smith, the replacement flanker tapping and going a penalty and beating three defenders.

Smith’s charge up the left opens space on the right, but Eben Etzebeth ignores the numbers waiting outside him, and Damian Willemse’s ball for his wing Mapimpi drifts forward.

[5 November 2022 19:10 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 16-6 South Africa, 62 minutes

Looser from the home side, Dan Sheehan’s throw stolen; Jamison Gibson-Park’s box kick sliced.

Can South Africa take advantage of possession in attacking position? They cannot - Tadhg Beirne leads an effective counter-ruck and then boots the ball up field.

[5 November 2022 19:08 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 16-6 South Africa, 60 minutes

The Irish front row then gets revenge, awarded the penalty as it all comes down in a heap.

[5 November 2022 19:07 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 16-6 South Africa, 59 minutes

Turnover ball! South Africa fancy a maul, but Ireland’s back-five forwards are right amongst it, fighting through the mosh pit to ultimately earn the scrum.