Ireland’s Call shook Dublin, as usual. But Ireland’s Call did not shake South Africa. In crazy intensity, a fantastic match, the Springboks won in Dublin to maintain their invincibility on this autumn tour (13-24).
They were promised hell, and they responded with a four-minute trial. A magnificent start to the game started by a very good Cobus Reinach allowing Cheslin Kolbe to take the interval and serve Du Toit at the end of the line. The flanker fixed the last defender and served Willemse. The back threw himself into a corner and avoided Prendergast’s tackle (0-5). With a vindictive “shush”, Willemse then shocked the audience.
Five boxes for Ireland
What followed was a nice mano a mano. A first scuffle increased the tension (7th) then referee Matthew Carley took on his many responsibilities. A first bunker yellow card, transformed into a 20-minute red card for James Ryan (19th) after a shoulder clearance.
Playing time increased and the Springboks were first denied a try (26th) before scoring a second thanks to Reinach (0-12). At the same time, Prendergast received a yellow card and Ireland had to play with 13 men for three minutes.
Except that the Irish had resources in this part and Dan Sheehan, after a nice start to the game, scored a try to bring his team back into the fight (7-12, 37th).
Ireland almost believed it
Jack Crowley, who entered a few seconds earlier, was guilty of a cynical mistake in a ruck and left his team at… 12. However, the setbacks of the Clover XV were not over.
Just before the break, Andrew Porter, in turn, received a yellow card… After the siren, a penalty try was awarded to the South Africans (7-19). Then the opening half Feinberg pierced the Irish defensive line to flatten again (10-24, 47th).
For the sake of the scenario, a fifth yellow card was distributed to Andy Farell’s men. McCarthy was the lucky one. But this team didn’t give up and knew how to hold back for 20 minutes before returning to the opposing camp. The last blows were given by the forwards but the Springboks defense did not give in.
The energy of despair was not enough and Malcolm Marx’s partners continued their flawless performance with an 11th consecutive victory against European teams. This success confirms the undeniable superiority of this team which will challenge Wales next week. Enough to get a 12th victory in a row…
