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22nd November 2025
05:58pm GMT
One of the maddest games that the Aviva will ever host, with South Africa eventually winning 24-13.
Ireland fought well right to the end after getting four yellow cards and one red.
His scrum penalties first helped lead to a team yellow card, which sent Sam Prendergast off the field for an offside.
The loosehead was then sent to the bin himself after four scrum infringements.
To sum it up, it was worse than Tom Court vs England in 2012.
Took his try well, but there were still a few crooked throws.
We haven't seen his game-breaking ability this November.
Wasn't as much to blame as Porter, but still played his part in one of the biggest scrum beatdowns you'll see in international rugby.
A serious rethink is needed from Andy Farrell and scrum coach John Fogarty.
On a day when Ireland didn't need any unforced cards, Ryan gave away one of the most obvious and pointless red cards you will see.
He would have been handy pushing in the scrum as well.
Fought his heart out for the full 80 minutes.
Tackled well and had a turnover to boot.
Really brought the fight to the Springboks, and was fired up and trying his best to rally the crowd.
A sensational lineout take led to Dan Sheehan's score while down to 13 men.
Ireland's best forward on the day.
Had the second most tackles of any Irish with 12 and the second most metres with 31, after James Lowe.
Ireland's top tackler with 14.
Not a vintage performance from the captain, but he never really has a poor game.
The scrummie did a lot of good things, with some super clearances, and a quality assist for Sheehan's try.
However, he missed some costly tackles, not least when he was put on his arse by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu before he slid in for a crucial try.
A lot to unpack about this performance from Ireland's most scrutinised player.
Firstly, he should be commended for making 11 tackles and missing just one.
Missed an easy penalty in the first half, but slotted a tougher one in the second.
Had to be saved by Jack Crowley after not diving on a loose ball, and could probably have done better in the last few minutes to create a try while Ireland were camped in the opposition's 22.
Was one of Ireland's better players for most of the game, particularly in the opening 40.
He gets marked down for a charged-down kick with Ireland in a fantastic attacking position down the left wing.
A big positive from this Autumn Nations Series has been Aki's improvement after an under-par few months.
He is only down for four metres made, but it felt like they were hard won and important.
Got Ireland out of jail a few times in defence.
A good showing after the criticism he faced for his performance against the All Blacks.
You can't fault the effort of the man but he only played 31 minutes after a head collision which he should have seen yellow.
Ireland's best player once again, with his work in the air being his side's most potent weapon for a second week in a row.
He carried well and stood in admirably at out-half when both Prendergast and Crowley were in the sin bin.
Rónan Kelleher – 5
Paddy McCarthy – 4
Finlay Bealham – 4
Cian Prendergast – 5
Jack Conan – 5
Craig Casey – 4.5
Jack Crowley – 6
Tom Farrell - 5.5
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