Inside Ireland dressing room celebrations following South Africa win as Johnny Sexton and co toast World Cup history

IRELAND further fuelled their World Cup aspirations with a sensational win over South Africa in Paris.

Mack Hansen’s try as well as a defensive performance for the ages helped the Boys in Green to a 13-8 win over the Springboks.

It was the first time the two rugby heavyweights faced off in the World Cup, and the contest certainly lived up to the billing.

When the full-time blew at a jubilant Stade de France, the momentousness of the result – Ireland’s 16th win on the trot – was clear in the celebrations.

Those celebrations continued into the dressing rooms, where the players tucked into well-earned bottles of beer to unwind.

Photos, posted by Johnny Sexton and Peter O’Mahony, also illustrated the physical toll to which both players had been subjected.

Ronan Kelleher, who had returned from injury to face the reigning world champions, had his jersey off with his shoulders heavily taped up.

By winning out in the battle of the world’s number one and two nations, Ireland reaffirmed their status as one of the tournament’s favourites.

And Sexton called on his teammates to make sure the triumph counts for more than bragging rights.

Sexton commented: “I think we’ve some big wins in pool stages before, that’s right up there when you play against the reigning world champions.

“I thought we fronted up and gave some good stuff ourselves in that regard, it’s right up there. We’ve got to make it count now.”

Andy Farrell’s men were cheered on by a feverish Irish support throughout the game.

80,000 people crammed into the Stade De France for the game, with the Ireland fans the most vocal.

At the end of the game, in a trend that has emerged throughout the World Cup, supporters partook in a stirring rendition of ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries.

And the Ireland captain went so far as to claim that it was the best atmosphere of which he had ever been part.

The 38-year-old said: “I’ve said that we’ve had some big days before in terms of results in the pools (in the past). But I’ve never, ever seen a crowd like that.

“Someone said there was 30,000 but there was no way it was 30,000. It was more like 60 and they were insane throughout and they gave us the lift that we needed.

“Honestly, it’s not lost on us. We talk about it a lot, about inspiring those people that put their hand in their pocket week after week.

“I’ve said that we’ve had some big days before in terms of results in the pools (in the past)  .But I’ve never, ever seen a crowd like that.

“Someone said there was 30,000 but there was no way it was 30,000. It was more like 60 and they were insane throughout and they gave us the lift that we needed.

“Honestly, it’s not lost on us. We talk about it a lot, about inspiring those people that put their hand in their pocket week after week.