South Africa vs Ireland LIVE rugby: Result after Ciaran Frawley kick stuns Springboks in brutal battle
South Africa 24-25 Ireland: Ciaran Frawley’s remarkable final-minute drop goal secured a famous win in Durban
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Ireland secured a remarkable victory against South Africa as Ciaran Frawley’s last-minute drop goal secured a one-point win in Durban.
Frawley dropped into the pocket to send the tourists into wild celebrations having survived a brutal second Test. An extraordinary encounter was settled by a moment of majesty from the replacement Ireland fly half, Frawley knocking over his second drop goal of the match to pip the Springboks.
It secured a draw for the tourists in a two-Test series that delivered on its lofty billing. South Africa had won the first Test in Pretoria thanks to the impact of their bench and appeared to again be taking control at the Shark Tank, with Handre Pollard’s accuracy from the tee putting them on the brink of victory.
The fly half’s eighth penalty had appeared to put the hosts out of reach until Frawley stepped up to slot three points with the clock expiring and snatch a famous win for Andy Farrell’s side.
Re-live all of the action from South Africa vs Ireland below:
PENALTY! SOUTH AFRICA 3-10 Ireland (Handre Pollard, 19 minutes)
A rare off day from the tee last week, but Handre Pollard’s right on the money first up here. Central, 45 metres, and no issues whatsoever as the flags go up.
South Africa 0-10 Ireland, 18 minutes
Perhaps not so minor. Franco Mostert is limping off, RG Snyman’s return to the bench rather like that GIF of Abe Simpson.
Another significant blow for South Africa, but Snyman’s extra mass might be handy at scrum time. Ox Nche and Frans Malherbe do the job ahead of him to earn a kickable penalty.
South Africa 0-10 Ireland, 17 minutes
South Africa are just scrambling a bit here, a few early interruptions and disruptions not allowing them to find their flow. It would appear Willie le Roux’s day is indeed done, the veteran full-back shaking his head on the bench.
Franco Mostert is down again. The lock’s leg is being looked at though it appears relatively minor. Eben Etzebeth returns while his second row partner is treated.
TRY! South Africa 0-10 IRELAND (Conor Murray, 14 minutes)
A delightful, devastating line from Jamie Osborne and Conor Murray is there to capitalise!
That’s outstanding from Ireland! It all comes from a huge tackle from Ox Nche, rocking back a rampaging Caelan Doris and perhaps shifting the entire continent too with a remarkably strong shot. But South Africa fail to gather themselves defensively thereafter, and the visitors go to work, Jack Crowley fading on Murray’s sharp pass and flicking inside for Osborne.
Through a gap he goes with a juggle, looking outside to Robbie Henshaw, who returns inside to Murray to complete the job. Superb!
South Africa 0-3 Ireland, 13 minutes
A colossal carry from Joe McCarthy, Ireland’s lock lumping a Springbok out of the way and then lumbering on. Now then, a cross kick...well handled by South Africa, Handre Pollard just about getting up enough to deny a leaping Robbie Henshaw.
South Africa 0-3 Ireland, 12 minutes
Jack Crowley matches his fly half counterpart with a kicking error. The Munster ten looks to carve to the corner having dropped into the pocket just inside Ireland’s half, but slices his kick, sending it out on the full.
He’s spared somewhat by Bongi Mbonambi failing to find his jumper at the lineout. Ronan Kelleher’s hack ahead turns the hosts and back Ireland will come on kick return.
South Africa 0-3 Ireland, 11 minutes
That’s poor from Handre Pollard. Ireland’s defence through four phases is fierce but Pollard gets impatient much too quickly, trying an extravagnant switch of direction and chip kick. Ill-conceived, ill-executed and all too easily marked by Calvin Nash.
South Africa 0-3 Ireland, 10 minutes
An awkward collision between Jamie Osborne and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Osborne haring after Jack Crowley’s up-and-under and keeping his eyes on the ball but nudged into the leaping South African by Jesse Kriel. Just a penalty, referee Karl Dickson says, and Ian Tempest’s quick review of the footage sees the TMO reach the same conclusion.
South Africa 0-3 Ireland, 9 minutes
What is going on with the South Africa locks! Now it is Eben Etzebeth cast in red paint, a gash on his forehead opened up and requiring a trip down the tunnel. RG Snyman will stay out there this time until Etzebeth is repaired.
South Africa 0-3 Ireland, 8 minutes
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s first touch is collecting a clearance kick that has already travelled out. He’s a top talent, the Stormer, capable of covering 10, 12 or 15 at a high level, but losing Willie le Roux would be a major, major blow if the starting full-back is unable to return.
A canny kick from Faf de Klerk very nearly springs Cheslin Kolbe, but the bounce is unkind, and Conor Murray’s cover is shrewd. South Africa are soon penalised.
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