Brave Ireland out-muscled by SouthAfrican power
- Updated: 22/11/2025
Ireland 13, South Africa 24
THE result appears that this match went down to the wire but in reality the visitors fully deserved their win in Lansdowne Road this afternoon. Ireland fought out of their socks throughout the 80 minutes throught a game that will be remembered for its stop and starts, almost record numbers of yellow cards, red cards and penalties that I have ever witnessed, There was a period in the first half when the referee took centre stage as a continuous run of TMO inspections.
South Africa took the lead in the fifth minute when full-back Damian Willemse cult through a hesitant defence to touch down. Sacha Feinberg failed with the conversion. It was 0-12 33 minutes, scrum half mezuluSacha Feinberg-Mngo touching down under the posts and this time Cobus Rein kickimg the points but five minutes later Dan Sheehan reduced the lead with a try which Jack Crowley converted to make it 7-14. With Ireland down to 12 players on the field, South Africa advantage and after continuous barrage of the Irish line, the referee awarded the Boks with a penalty try.
Leading 7-19 it appeared that the visitors would run away with this fixture but Ireland showed their courage but they were over-powered and zuluSacha Feinberg-Mngome went in under the posts. Sam Prendergasts kicked a penalty to keep Ireland in with a chance but Ireland lost the physical battle.
Ireland: Mack Hansen; Tommy O’Brien,Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, South Africa: Damian Willemse; Canan Moodie, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe; zuluSacha Feinberg-Mngome, Cobus Reinach; Boan Venter, Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit; Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje; Siya Kolisi (capt), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese.Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Paddy McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Cian Prendergast, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Tom Farrell.
South Africa: Damian Willemse; Canan Moodie, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe; zuluSacha Feinberg-Mngome, Cobus Reinach; Boan Venter, Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit; Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje; Siya Kolisi (capt), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, WilcDamian Willemseo Louw, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Andre Esterhuizen, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login