ROUT OF THIS WORLD
Marker is laid down as Irish put rivals back in their Boks..
THIS record victory won’t win Ireland the right to host the 2023 World Cup – but Joe Schmidt can use it as a starting point to his build-up to the finals in Japan in two years’ time.
South Africa are in the driving seat ahead of France and Ireland for the crucial vote on the three World Cup bids on Wednesday.
But it was Ireland who were in total control at the Aviva Stadium yesterday evening.
Late blows from Rhys Ruddock, Rob Herring and Jacob Stockdale finished things off after Andrew Conway’s debut try and the boot of Johnny Sexton had put the hosts in a very comfortable place.
Clearly in need of Rassie Erasmus to shake things up, the Springboks were rudderless, disjointed and in the mood to butcher chances.
With these sides on a possible collision course in Japan, this outcome is an early psychological blow for Ireland after the disappointment of losing the series in South Africa in the summer of ‘16.
Notably, Stockdale stood out with a brilliant defensive display followed by an attacking charge with nine minutes to go that effectively opened the floodgates, and he capped his home debut with a superb last minute try (inset).
Bundee Aki’s opening minute charge on Coenie Oosthuyzen resulted in the prop having to come off injured and – for a debut surrounded by controversy – he was Ireland’s top tackler with 17 successful hits.
Ireland were 9-0 ahead after 19 minutes through Sexton penalties – and it got even better for the hosts five minutes later when Conor Murray’s up and under was lost under the lights by Courtnall Skosan.
Conway snaffled possession and no one could touch him as he raced for the right-hand corner. Sexton hit the woodwork with the conversion attempt and the Boks were stung into action, but the promise of a slow build into Ireland’s 22 was emphatically stopped by CJ Stander’s breakdown penalty win.
Having earlier run right over Boks man mountain Eben Etzebeth, Iain Henderson’s knock-on handed the Boks back the momentum, but they blew their third opportunity of the half out wide when Siya Kolisi failed to find Skosan. The visitors finally broke their duck four minutes into the second half – Elton Jantjies converting a penalty just inside the hosts’ 22 after Stander caught Francois Louw high with a tackle.
There had been concern just before the break when Peter O’mahony required treatment after a promising run and the Munster skipper only lasted for 10 minutes after the restart. But his replacement Rhys Ruddock was straight into the action with a penalty won at the breakdown.
Sexton’s successful 57th minute penalty restored the half-time advantage and there was no way back for Allister Coetzee’s charges.
Schmidt will be encouraged that Ireland finished strongly – and that the bench was at the forefront of the effort.
Ruddock charged over in the 71st minute after Sexton’s magnificent link with Stockdale, then Herring – with his first touch – charged over.
And there was time still for Stockdale, the big 21-yearold Ulster winger, to start and finish the move for the excellent final try – and Joey Carbery’s nailed-on conversion finished the night on a high. IRELAND: Tries: Conway, Ruddock, Herring, Stockdale Pens: Sexton 4 Con: Sexton, Carbery 2 SOUTH AFRICA: Pens: Jantjies