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Ireland hold on for epic win over Springboks at Rugby World Cup
By Finn Morton
In a thrilling showdown between the top two rugby nations in the world, Ireland made a statement with a hard-fought 13-8 win over the Springboks at Stade de France.
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There are very few events that can actually bring the sporting world to a halt, but this epic Rugby World Cup clash between two genuine contenders was certainly one of them.
With more than 78,000 people in attendance at the Parisian venue, the vibrant crowd helped set the scene for the unmissable gladiatorial battle between 46 proud rugby warriors.
Both teams were met with a deafening cry from the crowd as they made their way past the Webb Ellis Cup and out onto the field. After years of waiting, the countdown was all but over.
The Dublin-esque crowd joined in for an unforgettable rendition of ‘Ireland’s Call,’ and the Springboks followed moments later with their national anthem which was just as special.
But finally, the passionate crowd watched on in awe as Ireland flyhalf Johnny Sexton got the test underway by kicking the ball high into the sky on a beautiful night in Paris.
The Springboks avoided disaster after an early error. Halfback Faf de Klerk threw a wayward pass which gave Ireland an attacking opportunity deep inside the Boks’ 22.
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Ireland threw phase after phase of attacking at their world-champion opponents, but play was brought to a sudden stop as referee Ben O’Keefe intervened.
Penalty Ireland after only 80 seconds. But the northern hemisphere juggernaut turned down what seemed to be a routine shot at goal by going for the corner.
It didn’t work, and that ultimately summed up Ireland’s first quarter.
With the scores still locked at nil-all, the Boks made something special out of nothing with wing Kurt-Lee Arendse charging onto a de Klerk clearance kick.
South Africa marched towards Ireland’s tryline and ended up walking away with points as playmaker Manie Libbok converted his first penalty of the night. Suddenly, the Boks led three-nil.
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Looking to hit back, Ireland didn’t do themselves any favours at the set-piece. Hooker Ronan Kelleher missed the mark on four lineouts, including two steals just five metres out from the try line.
Again, that summed up Ireland’s first quarter. They threw plenty at the Boks, but they weren’t able to convert attacking pressure into points.
But their misfortune and struggles wouldn’t last forever. Boks lock Franco Mostert was penalised just after the 30-minute mark which gave Ireland another brilliant attacking opportunity.
This one started much the same with the crowd murmuring in anticipation as the rivals took their place at the lineout along the five-metre line.
Ireland spread the ball wide and finally, it paid off for the world’s No. 1 ranked side as Australian-born wing Mack Hansen crossed for a game-changing try in the 32nd minute.
The crowd went berserk as they began to celebrate the score, but jubilation was soon replaced with relief as replays showed Hansen flirting with the deadball line as he dove for the score.
Sexton converted the try to give Ireland a 7-3 with just over five minutes to play in the first term. The test had come alive, and the crowd were loving it.
With seconds to go before the break, Ireland won a penalty and the crowd went nuts once again. Chants of “Ireland, Ireland, Ireland” echoed throughout the venue ahead of the final play.
But Ireland missed another decent opportunity but took a confidence-building lead into the break.
Test matches are often decided by small margins. Poor discipline missed tackles and knock-ons can cost a team dearly as they fight desperately for victory.
That’s the best way to sum up the second term.
South Africa started the half on the back foot, but ended up snatching the lead back through wing Cheslin Kolbe.
But Libbok missed the conversion, and later a penalty, which proved costly in the end. De Klerk also missed two long-range penalty attempts while Ireland’s Sexton nailed one.
The Boks had another opportunity to attack Ireland’s line with just over 10 minutes to play, but errors at the lineout and scrum let Andy Farrell’s men kick their way out of danger once again.
With the game on the line coming down the stretch, South Africa’s efforts were in vain. Ireland had the last laugh with replacement Jack Crowley knocking over a simple shot at goal.
Ireland extended their incredible unbeaten run to 15 tests, and are likely to face either the All Blacks or Italy in the quarter-finals.
Boks got their way, avoid potential All Blacks clash in quarters.
Did Ireland just win the WC? One might think so given the level of ecstatic elation.
On this show, hard to bet against the Irish reaching the Finals. Great teams win the big ones even when not playing particularly well. This is a very well balanced team without the obvious flaws of the other contenders - Boks (no kicker) and France (over-reliance on Dupont and giving abck attacking teams the ball). ABs have Fozzie so they can't put good back to back performances. They'll wallop Italy and then steamrolled by Ireland.
Don't forget Uruguay, Billy. They gave France a bit of a scare!
Brilliant win for ireland nothing between these top teams. Ireland will enjoy this one but Scotland in two weeks won't be easy one game at a time
Are you all seriously ignoring Scotland who’ve only played 1 game and to all extent and purposes have been totally discounted. It seems they’re not at the World Cup this year and have 2 games to play before meeting Ireland who are on vacation until then. I can see why they get no love but maybe they sneak through and win the gold at the end.
One loss and Scotland are effectively out as sad as it is. Even if they win the remainder of their games with bonus points, one bonus point for Ireland and they top Scotland and SA might match them but the result between the two count.
Unless Tonga get a result against SA, but I wouldnt bet on that.
Maybe controversial but I think that the in game management was the difference between the teams. Irelands was pretty spot on and the Boks not so much. Why the Boks took 50/50 pot shots from half way when they had an easy entry into the Irish 22 is anybody’s guess.
Yes, and for all that, the Boks would have won - if they landed their kicks. The Irish did not get to play their magnificent behind-the-line running into gaps. It was the Irish loose forwards who made the difference.
Can't really say that, as every time you score the game changes, ie Kick-off ect, and Ireland were good at those. Also, the only try SA scored comes from a kick that hits the bar and Ireland gets an unlucky bounce. I agree you have to take points on offer, but every time you score and have to kick off the game changes... Different positioning, different playing lines ect, etc. Ireland beat us simple as that. We didn't adapt to the oppositions offering and refs officiating. What is scary, in as much as it is exciting, is that both teams can still do better.......BTW Malcolm Marx is sorely missed.....
I'm an NZer. I said last week "Watch out for Ireland." Boks fans tried to shoot me down. Well who's been shot down now fellas?? The Boks might squeak through against France without Dupont, but the All Blacks vs Ireland will be whoever fronts up the best on the day.
Ireland always fronts up. Fozzie's ABs more than most just don't and I'm an ABs fan.
Ireland don't do anything but front up.
Fabulous game between the two (current) top teams in the world. An absorbing arm wrestle as expected. Ireland defence was amazing. My MoM was the Irish prop Porter who played his guts out for the entire game. A good counterpoint to the Boks complete forward replacement strategy. Also, it was a master class in refereeing by Kiwi Ben Okeefe, NH take note of how a top game should be whistled.
Agree re ref
Are you kidding me O’Keefe had a shocker that last call was abysmal given the ball was in Faf’s hands.. anyways the springboks need to take the blame for the loss they didn’t have a recognised kicker and changed up the tactics for this match, they should have mauled every long range penalty
How many times have our coaches been warned you cannot win a world cup game without a kicker. If there ever was a game that showed a kicker can win or lose a game this is it. Boks lost 11 points from missed kicks. Can you imagine how it would have turned out out if Pollard, supposedly mank as hy is, or even Morne for God sake done all those kicks? Also, isn't Frans Steyn supposed to be one of the best long range kickers in the world? Where is he? In the old age home? I even saw no less than Kolbe do a massive drop kick from the halfway line in his time.
Ireland to face either the All Black's or Italy in the quarter-finals? Have France pulled out of the RWC?
No Nigel, France will play South Africa in the quarters.
Yes, with no Dupont (the world's greatest ever sportsperson) the French team have regretfully surrendered to the Germans and will take no further part in this world cup.
Epic failure from Erasmus with his bench call. Ireland owned SA at the breakdown and showed up how feeble SA's backline is. No Esterhuizen was another mistake. As intense as the game was it felt that Ireland were always in control and had plenty left in the tank. France will be more than happy to meet SA in the quarters even without Dupont.
Diggy, you belter! You just can't help but give the Saffas a hard time can you pal? It was a really good game too- you should have watched it!
Agree re Erasmus bench call. As for Ireland being in control - I don't know what you were watching?? They won because they emptied their tank and the Boks didn't have a kicker. But a sensational game of rugby.
Lol 8-13 is very in control mate ! What a feeble backline to let in 1 try! Breakdown stats were even and SA controlled all the crucial stats in dominate tackles and set piece, no recognised kicker was the problem, 11 points missed from the boot, Ireland kicked all their points and they were massively let off the hook on that last call by O’Keefe
I'd say the Springboks made a statement. They followed it up by nearly scoring off a quick lineout too. Kudos to SA for bringing it.
Kudos to the Irish for absorbing all the Bok grunt and winning a very good game. Could have gone either way. Both very good teams who will advance to the Quarter finals .
Ben okefe Made sure the All Blacks don’t play the boks in 1/4. Some poor decisions but hey we take it on the chin and move on, hope the two sides make it to the final. Boks left 11 points on the park and because of that could not build score board pressure, also think it was a tactic of Rassie to go for post the hole time that is why they made the calls from the side. We also did not compete at ruck time something brewing that means two of the boks strengths we did not show tonight, malling from line outs and getting over the ball in the rucks, makes you think? Well done Ireland hopefully we meet in the final.
Did not compete at the rucks because they couldn't, Ireland owned SA in that department. Same for the lack of line out mauling, they weren't allowed to. Ireland did their homework and Erasmus ended up with egg on his face, simple as that.
I don't know how you can award Jamison Gibson-Parks blatant hollywood when Kitshoff was trying to roll away. He knows he's got to clear himself away and that he has to allow him to do that. One would hope the ref did too.
Bok here. I don't really bemoan the result. It was a really fantastic, hard hitting game to watch. Not much between the two. Ireland was the better team on the night.
Chin up boys.
Result means nothing. It's much more about what happened, not how the scoreline played out. Wouldn't you prefer to take the hosts out now than try and do it in a final? Well, if you're Ireland you might just want to get past the quarters. Not this side though.
Well done to the Irish boys. Well played. You deserve you world number 1 status. To my beloved Boks. You also played very well and also deserved to win. However the place kicking needs much to desire. We also need our conversation rate to improve.
Game was intense and close enough to keep everyone on the edge of their seats, played more like a knockout than a pool match.
Thought after Libbok kicked his first penalty that he would be fine, but those consecutive misses in the second half really hurt, followed by the missed penalty by Faf. Not just because of the final scoreline, but also because the effect of scoreboard pressure on both teams.
When the margins are that fine between top teams, not getting a reward for pressure and momentum swings can deflate a team.
SA had enough opportunities to win the game but weren't clinical when it mattered.
Ireland nailed the few they had and won the game.
Thank goodness we didn't have a game influenced by a card of any colour. Is that the first game at this tournament without a card?
Top win by the Irish, on behalf of the rugby fraternity we were all cheering you on. The arrogance of the bores is still on full show here in the comments section. You lost, Ireland won. Learn to accept that graciously for once.
The best team in the world showed just exactly that.
Haha the Irish have easily surpassed the SA's as bores since they started winning games of rugby.
Its Boer’s you idiot. Get an education.
We are not angry at Ireland or the ref. We are angry at our rugby team period. Could have would have should have don't count. The world cup is not over. We are not boers we are South Africans. So hey joe what do you know?
Outstanding rugby well done Ireland
Ben o Keefe what a remarkably poor decision 80th minute. Boks gave away this one ...Ireland victorious and Manie left team no chance. go Ben well done
What was wrong with the decision in your eyes?
First of all. I am a Springbok fan. But also have big respect for the Irish. Well deserved win for the Irish. Yes bokke and coaching staff, one simple question, how on earth can you go to a world cup without a fly half ? How do you expect to win a world cup without a fly half ? Seriously tonight was a huge disappointment from a Springbok supporter view. I also coached rugby but irrelevant on which level of professionalism. The fact remains, no fly half no wins. And I seriously hope this game was an eye opener for the Springbok coaches and staff. Once again, well done Ireland for the win and for the Springboks they deserved the loss.
It was an outstanding game, the quality was fitting of a final.
The Boks should however play Pollard, Esterhuizen and Moody from here on out.
The France clash will also be on the level of a final. As hard as it gets.
Don't see the All Blacks hanging with Ireland. Ireland going through to the final, for sure.
Ireland's definitely good enough to beat the Allblacks as they've got NZ's best centre and wing along with a handy NZ halfback from an island just off the coast of Auckland.
However the Boks were very close with no doubt the Irish NZ contingent getting Ireland across the line along with their Australian winger.
Will NZ beat Ireland?
There is an excellent chance they will after having 8 days to prepare versus Ireland having 6 days to prepare after playing Scotland.
The odds of Ireland winning three in a row against NZ simply isn't that great.