Ireland produced a stunning display to defeat South Africa 29-15 at the Aviva Stadium. Here is how we rated the victors.
Rob Kearney 8
Fantastic break in the first half as he jagged inside and left five Springboks in his wake. Found Payne in support and seconds later Ireland had a penalty. Was pumped up for this match and provided a vital, attacking spark.
Tommy Bowe 7
Typical winger’s outing. Quiet and then the game-breaking try. A case of the lesser spot winger in the opening 40. Attacking play rarely veered near his wing. Good tackle on Bryan Habana to shut down one dangerous try-scoring chance. Excellent up-and-under claim to get the second-half off to a rousing start. Drifted inside, looking for trouble, after the break. Finished off Murray’s brilliant chip to the corner to seal the deal.
Jared Payne 6
Showed up on Kearney’s shoulder to truck the ball towards the 22. Needs game-time to build up partnership with Henshaw. Got himself isolated on occasions, costing a couple of turnovers. Grew into the game as it progressed and should feature at 13 against Australia.
Robbie Henshaw 6
The Springboks targeted him and profited when missed tackles meant they got in behind the Irish lines. Gang-tackled well and showed no fear of charging head-long into green jerseys. Teamed up well to bring down an onrushing Coetzee and force a knock-on.
Simon Zebo 6
Enlivened the home crowd in the opening forays and played smart rugby, refusing to get himself isolated. Spurned a good one-on-one dart at Cornal Hendricks by cutting inside and straight into traffic.
Johnny Sexton 8
The brief was a kicking one and while it worked in bit parts it pinned the South Africans back. Place-kicked like a dream. Did well to drag down a charging Willie le Roux when faced with a one-on-one on the Irish 22. Shot out of the line to shut down an overlap, on 53 minutes, as le Roux lurked. Smart kicking to the corners in the final 20 minutes.
Conor Murray 7
His box-kicking has come on leaps, bounds and air-miles. Good tackling around the fringes but confined to urging his forwards on as Ireland played the conservative game. Peachy chip over the top to set up the Bowe try.
Jack McGrath 7
Reasons for optimism after he earned Ireland their first penalty at the scrum. The Boks responded by angling all eight men of their pack towards Ross and leaving him isolated. Tackled like a demon in the loose and whenever Ireland found themselves up against it in the 22. Made 17 tackles during his 73-minute stint.
Sean Cronin 6
Did he throw to anyone else but Devin Toner? Lost a few line-out throws but found his man when Ireland were in tight corners. Not used as a go-to runner or ball carrier too much. Solid.
Mike Ross 6
Gave away a silly penalty in the first half for impeding his Duane Vermeulen in the line-out. Held up his side of the scrum well and pitched into rucks. Did all that was asked but little more.
Devin Toner 8
The target of a king’s share of line-outs but was most impressive in his ruck and maul defence. An absolute nuisance to the visitors. One of his best games in the green/white-with-green hoops jersey.
Paul O’Connell 7
Crowd rose to him on 64 minutes when one huge tackle forced a knock-on. Tree trunks for legs and the ability to dip into the most inhospitable of rucks and either slow the Boks down or win a turnover. Directed operations at line-out and maul time.
Peter O’Mahony 8
His appetite for donkey work and tackling never ceases to amaze. He made hits, picked himself up and got back into the line, only to do it again. Recovered from clash with Murray to contribute to Ireland’s second-half surge. Replaced on 70 minutes.
Rhys Ruddock 7
Playing in a position he only rarely appears in, Ruddock was slow in getting into the game. Marcell Coetzee bowled him into next week at one stage but he warmed to his task. Kept calm and pounced when the opening arrived for his rolling maul try. Notched 13 on the tackling bed-post.
Jamie Heaslip 7
Ball-carrying and incisive running lines were a few pages back in the Irish playbook so Heaslip exerted himself in tackling any green jersey that moved. Would have back himself to score just before half-time, as he popped up on the left wing, but Sexton chose not to pass. Made big hits at crucial moments.
Replacements
Richardt Strauss
(On for Cronin ’58 mins) – Overcooked his first line-out but horsed into rucks and landed a couple of big defensive tackles.
Dave Kilcoyne 5
(On for McGrath ’73) – Game was over when he appeared. Will hope to start against Georgia.
Rodney Ah You 5
(On for Ross ’73) – Will be happy to have made his international bow in a winning effort
Mike McCarthy
(On for Toner ’73) – Not much to do but hit some Boks while he was out there.
Tommy O’Donnell 6
(On for O’Mahony ’70) – Hungry for tackles after replacing O’Mahony and connected with some lusty ones.
Eoin Reddan N/A
(On for Payne ’78) – Not on long enough to rate
Ian Madigan 5
(On for Sexton ’73) – Landed a penalty late on to stretch the lead.
Felix Jones 5
(On for Kearney ’73) Untroubled in his short stint
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