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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:
Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony speaks to Sky Sports
“It was a tough battle. We knew it was going to be very, very difficult here. There are a lot of positives to take out of their postives, but there were little bits here and there that a side like the Springboks are going to punish.
“We knew coming in that there was going to be a bit of a tweak to the Springboks’ approach. Certainly, they are playing a bit more expansively. We’ll have a look.”
Harry Latham-Coyle6 July 2024 18:22
South Africa survive crazy finish to cling on against Ireland
So on to Durban, then, with tensions simmering today and likely to be similarly hot next week. Ireland will fret over the health of Craig Casey and Dan Sheehan – let us hope Casey particularly is ok after that horrible incident.
Harry Latham-Coyle6 July 2024 18:19
FT: South Africa 27-20 Ireland
Plenty of debate over James Lowe’s try being chalked off. Should TMO Ben Whitehouse come in for a ticky-tacky breakdown infringement? It proved a pivotal moment, particularly after the Ireland wing then gifted Cheslin Kolbe a try in another marginal call.
Harry Latham-Coyle6 July 2024 18:12
FT: South Africa 27-20 Ireland
Blimey. Truly breathless stuff at the end, but the Springboks have held on by a score! It was a contest that took time to warm but that final quarter was quite something, both sides throwing haymakers after injury to Craig Casey had forced a long second-half pause. Let us hope the Ireland scrum half is ok.
South Africa nudge in front in this two-match series with their first win over Ireland in eight years.
Harry Latham-Coyle6 July 2024 18:11
FULL TIME! South Africa 27-20 Ireland
Harry Latham-Coyle6 July 2024 18:06
South Africa 27-20 Ireland, 80 minutes
One last chance for Ireland, but they’ll have to go the length. Is that a knock-on? Luke Pearce thinks not…his TMO disagrees! It’s all over in Pretoria and the Springboks have clung on!
Harry Latham-Coyle6 July 2024 18:06
TRY! South Africa 27-20 IRELAND (Ryan Baird try, 80 minutes)
James Lowe now creates a score, atoning for his error with dynamite feet and then a delectable offload for Ryan Baird. The rangy back row strides in.
Can Jack Crowley convert? Not quite, the ball falling off his tee and forcing him to hurry. The draw is still a possibility, though.
Harry Latham-Coyle6 July 2024 18:05
PENALTY TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 27-15 Ireland (Penalty try, 78 minutes)
That is some way to put the nail in the Irish coffin! The Bomb Squad provide an ecxclamation point, driving Ireland over their own line. Luke Pearce trots under the posts and sends an Irish front rower to the bin.
Harry Latham-Coyle6 July 2024 18:03
South Africa 20-15 Ireland, 77 minutes
Another horrible moment for James Lowe! Ireland let the restart bounce and Lowe, scrambling back to try and ground but knocking on in-goal. South Africa’s scrum five metres out.
Harry Latham-Coyle6 July 2024 18:02
TRY! South Africa 20-15 IRELAND (Conor Murray, 76 minutes)
A neat inside move sends a carrier into space and Conor Murray is there in support! Jack Crowley wastes no time converting – do we have a twist?
Harry Latham-Coyle6 July 2024 18:01