Ireland vs South Africa live: Springboks survive madcap clash as brave Ireland fall short
Ireland 13-24 South Africa: The Springboks prevailed in a crazy encounter in which the hosts were reduced to 12 men
South Africa survived a chaotic, card-full contest with a brave Ireland as the Springboks again cemented their status as the best team in the world.
A first win in Dublin since 2012 was hard-earned for the visitors despite yellow cards being shown to four Irishmen and lock James Ryan being sent off for a dangerous clearout in the first half. Having fallen behind to scores from Damian Willemse, Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, as well as a penalty try, Ireland somehow stayed in the fight even with circumstances against them to threaten a grandstand finish late on after Dan Sheehan’s first-half try had just about kept them in touch.
But the Springboks prevailed, thanks partly to the strength of a scrum that dismantled their Irish counterparts both for that penalty try and the series of infringements that led to both Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy being sin binned. While Rassie Erasmus may wonder how his side did not make more of a series of chances to put the game to bed in the second half, he will be pleased to finally conquer a city in which victory had long eluded him.
Follow all of the latest from the Quilter Nations Series clash with our live blog below:
Cards, chaos and carnage: How South Africa secured wild win over Ireland
Ireland paid a heavy price for ill-discipline as world champions South Africa ended a 13-year wait for victory in Dublin by battling to a chaotic 24-13 victory.
Andy Farrell's men lost James Ryan to a 20-minute red card during a remarkable first half in which team-mates Sam Prendergast, Jack Crowley and Andrew Porter were sent to the sin bin.
Ireland's repeated infringements followed the perceived injustice of Springboks fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu avoiding an early card for a high hit on Tommy O'Brien.
Cards, chaos and carnage: How South Africa secured wild win over Ireland
Malcolm Marx named World Player of the Year
More good news, meanwhile, for Malcolm Marx - the Springboks hooker has won World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year. He beats teammates Ox Nche and Pieter-Steph du Toit, plus France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey, to the award - perhaps not at his best at the start of South Africa’s Test season, Marx has been simply supreme over the last few months.
Fabian Holland, meanwhile, was named men’s Breakthrough Player of the Year having helped the All Blacks to victory in Cardiff earlier.
FT: Ireland 13-24 South Africa
It’s really hard to know what to make of that for Ireland. In so many ways, they showed that they can still mix it with the best team in the world even when plenty goes against them - but the manner in which their scrum was dismantled, and the way their discipline slipped under that pressure, ultimately proved insurmountable. A defeat by double digits will be disappointing, despite the utter mayhem.
Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx is the player of the match
And says to TNT Sports: “It’s always a tough outing against the Irish. We knew it was going to be tough and a grind to the end.
“I think we got some good success at the scrum. They are a quality side, and playing against a quality side like them is always going to be tough. The character that they showed was immense - having 12 guys on the field and still keeping us out just shows that character and how strong the bond they have as a team is.”
FT: Ireland 13-24 South Africa
My word. A crazy, chaotic, carnage and card-filled contest - but the Springboks win again. There have been few more peculiar Tests than that one. Some effort from Ireland to cling on for so long in the second half as their scrum wilted and a third of their side were shown cards, and it looked like they might just set up a grandstand finish. But it was not to be.
Ireland 13-24 South Africa, 82 minutes
A free kick at the scrum. Craig Casey taps and ventures down a Dublin alleway best avoided as as a bunch of burly Boks engulf him.
Still Ireland have it - but not for long! Finally, it’s over - the Springboks survive and escape with victory.
Ireland 13-24 South Africa, 80 minutes
Turned over by Kwagga Smith! But back the other way! One last chance for Ireland, Sam Prendergast hurls a wide pass...knocked on by a South African hand! Deliberate? No! Manie Libbok had two hands up.
Time has expired. Ireland are unbowed, but beaten. They’d love to leave with a try, though, to characterise this backs-against-the-walls effort.
Ireland 13-24 South Africa, 79 minutes
Still Ireland can’t get over! Still they toil and toil as time ticks away.
Another penalty. But they have to score in the next 60 seconds.
YELLOW CARD! Grant Williams is sent to the sin bin! Ireland 13-24 South Africa, 79 minutes
Irelnad have to score. Tapped, and away they go, but their forwards meet meaty resistance around the corner. Who can break down the green wall? Another advantage!
Grant Williams is sent to the sin bin for not rolling away.
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