Ireland slayed a southern hemisphere giant for the first time since the 2011 World Cup and set their stall out as contenders for the next edition in England.
Joe Schmidt’s men stood up to South Africa’s brute force to record a 29-15 win that looked secure the moment Tommy Bowe steamed onto a Conor Murray chip, exposing their guests out wide. Ireland were 16-10 up after 66 minutes when replacement ‘Bok hooker Adriaan Strauss was yellow-carded for taking Rob Kearney out in the air.
By the time Strauss (first cousin of Ireland’s Richardt Strauss) returned the hosts were sixteen points clear. Asked for his reaction to the crucial call, after the match, South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer commented, ‘We’ve got a saying at the Boks: “The ref is always right”… We could use it as an excuse but I don’t want to.’
Ireland opted for a kicking game from the off. Johnny Sexton took 15 minutes to find his range but, once located, controlled the game thereafter. Rob Kearney was the kick-chase weapon and his opposite number Willie le Roux was strangely subdued. The Springbok fullback made his name in The Rugby Championship, but was well marshalled by Ireland and his trick-play attempts – flick passes, inside switches – rarely stuck.
Ireland set their stall out as a team that would kick, tackle, ruck for dear life and maul inside the opposition 22. The Springboks have an awesome attacking maul of their own and were rewarded when Marcell Coetzee crashed over. The weapon was otherwise nullified and South African lock Victor Matfield admitted post-match that Ireland had won that particular tussle. The visitor’s tactic of turning down penalty efforts for attacking line-outs failed to pay off – similar to Ireland’s forlorn gambits in the World Cup quarter-final against Wales three years ago.
Speaking of that particular bauble, Tommy Bowe believes Ireland’s win is a fantastic step forward. ‘We were delighted (after the game),’ he said. ‘Joe Schmidt has definitely changed the (team’s) mentality. We believe we can take anyone on. I don’t think we ever questioned that before but in bringing that consistency in the way we train, maybe that brings it through onto the pitch and that is something maybe help us get that little bit of an edge.’
Schmidt was a contented soul in the post-match press briefing, paying credit to late call-up Rhys Ruddock. The Leinster back-row, who was due to start on the bench before Chris Henry (virus) withdrew, landed 13 tackles in the match and scored a momentum-heaping try early in the second half. ‘I think Rhys Ruddock delivered in every minute he was out on the field,’ said Schmidt.
Paul O’Connell was less effusive in his praise, adding that Ireland need to prove they can be consistent and defeat both Georgia and Australia if November is to be deemed a success. ‘It was good,’ the Irish captain offered. ‘I don’t know if it was our finest performance. Definitely one of our best victories.’
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