No fairytale finish for plucky tourists
SOUTH AFRICA clinched a Test series victory over Ireland in dramatic fashion in Port Elizabeth to deny the tourists at the death.
Despite dominating, Ireland could not break the Springboks down as a result of some superb tackling and their own inaccuracy at crucial moments.
The result saw South Africa claim a 2- 1 triumph in a hardfought series, which saw Ireland edge the opener – their first win over the Springboks on home soil – before the hosts battled back.
While Ireland coach Joe Schmidt and his side will return home wondering what might have been, South Africa can move on under new coach Allister Coetzee with optimism.
They led by three through Elton Jantjies’ penalty when the game encountered its big talking point.
On his first start, Ireland fullback Tiernan O’Halloran rose to claim Faf de Klerk’s box-kick and found himself flying head over heels as his opposite number Willie le Roux crashed into his legs.
The Connacht star came crashing down on his upper body area and referee Glen Jackson went upstairs to consult with Rowan Kitt, who adjudged O’Halloran had landed on his shoulder rather than his neck and the New Zealand official reached for his yellow card when he might have chosen red.
After Ireland’s CJ Stander was sent off in the first Test, it was a huge call and O’Halloran needed a visit to the dressing room as Matt Healy came on for his debut.
When O’Halloran returned after being cleared, Ireland were 7-3 in front through Luke Marshall’s try.
The centre powered past Jantjies to score. Paddy Jackson converted but missed his first penalty.
He slotted an easier opportunity to make it 10-3 but Jantjies pulled a penalty back.
Then the Springboks struck on the brink of half-time.
Jantjies executed a perfect chip for JP Pietersen to touch down.
Jantjies converted to give his side a 13-10 half-time lead and Ireland suffered a further blow as O’Halloran failed to re-appear after the interval, with Healy taking his place again.
Still, the Irish continued to play with positive intent and were inches away from scoring their second try only for De Klerk to intercept Jackson’s final pass.
Ireland’s play was good to watch, but their error count was costing them and a Marshall knock-on was punished by Springbok replacement props Steven Kitshoff and Julian Redelinghuys, who won a penalty in their first scrum which Ruan Combrinck nailed from inside his own half.
Jantjies added another penalty to stretch the lead to nine, but Ireland hit back through Jackson’s penalty and they began to believe they could make history.
Still, Ireland came and brilliant foot-work from Olding took them close and they battered at the line repeatedly in a dramatic final phase. Finally, the ball reached Earls who had Healy outside him, but De Klerk rushed up and hit him hard. In piled the Springboks and the winger held on.
That proved the last action the match as the stadium erupted – and Ireland sunk to their knees.