SPRINGBOKS VS IRELAND: Boks finally end seven-year rugby hoodoo against never-say-die Irish

The Springboks ended a seven-year wait and a three-match losing streak to beat Ireland, but it was in the balance to the end. And on another day, they might have been on the wrong end of the result. 

Ireland had one try chalked off after wing James Lowe had raced 60 metres to dot down. Television Match Official (TMO) Ben Whitehouse ruled that an Ireland player had used his hands in the ruck to win the ball back, which led to Lowe’s score. The Boks were awarded a penalty instead.  

Even more marginal was the TMO’s view that Lowe’s foot was still in the air when flipping the ball in-field. Bok wing Cheslin Kolbe swooped on to the ball, hacked ahead and scored. 

After what seemed like ages deliberating whether it should be a Bok lineout or try, it went the Boks’ way. Coming just minutes after Lowe’s disallowed try, it was a double body blow for Ireland. 

Read more in Daily Maverick: No talk of revenge, but margins remain slim as Boks prepare for brutal showdown against Ireland 

It took the score from 13-8 to 20-8 with 14 minutes remaining. While the Boks weren’t completely in the clear, it did make the task almost impossible for Ireland.

They fought to the end though, and from the restart to Kolbe’s score, they pounded away at the Bok line. Impressive No 8 Caelan Doris was just held up over the line.

Arendse sin-binned

Arendse was sin-binned in the build-up as the Boks were punished for repeated offsides, and with the extra man replacement, Ireland scrumhalf Conor Murray scored under the poles. 

With just five points in it, Lowe made another error, spilling the restart into his in-goal area. The Bok pack, with the bomb squad deployed, pushed Ireland back and referee Luke Pearce awarded a penalty try. Game over.

The one that got away?

Ireland did score a consolation try, through replacement flank Ryan Baird, but it was academic in the outcome. Ireland will go into the second Test in Durban with a point to prove though, because they will feel that this was one that got away. 

The Boks will be happy with the result, and with a strong first-half showing, where their attacking intent and structure was impressive.

The talk of attack coach Tony Brown’s new approach was on display. The Boks attacked with more width, using outside centre Jesse Kriel with early wide passes to give him space to use his speed.

Captain Siya Kolisi and fellow backrower Pieter-Steph