Ireland inflict home defeat on Boks for first time

FOURTEEN-MAN Ireland yesterday beat the Springboks on South African soil for the first time in front of 42,620 stunned fans at Newlands.

Ireland drew first blood when the hosts were punished for pulling down a lineout drive.

Rory Best went to the corner and, again, the maul came down. Iain Henderson carried the advantage at the home side, before Luke Marshall deftly chipped the ball in behind for Jared Payne to dot down and Jackson converted.

Ireland’s early good work was undone by a red card for CJ Stander and the home side scented blood. Elton Jantjies narrowed the gap to four with a penalty before the Lions outhalf put Lwazi Mvovo over.

And things got worse for Ireland when Robbie Henshaw was high and late on Jantjies after the pass, and was handed 10 minutes in the sin-bin as the conversion sailed over.

Despite playing the rest of the half with 13 men, Ireland somehow managed to go in level as Jackson landed an opportunistic drop-goal.

Remarkably, they followed it up with a try to take the lead three minutes after half-time.

Slick hands from Payne saw Andrew Trimble make gains up the right, his inside pass before captain Rory Best pounced with a big carry. Murray picked and went, slipping de Jager’s tackle to put his side in front.

Jackson converted and almost added another try when he chipped ahead, but Faf de Klerk was too quick for him and averted the danger.

He did fire home from close-range soon after but South Africa hit back instantly when Pieter-Steph du Toit intercepted the out-half’s pass and raced in under the posts.

Jantjies converted to make it a three-score game but Ireland kept coming and Jackson extended the lead to six from the kicking tee after missing a drop-goal attempt.