It’s all even in Dublin at 6 – 6 as two of the world’s top sides are going toe-to-toe in every facet of the game.
Ireland started the brighter of the two sides with an early penalty kick before a sustained period of Springbok pressure.
Damian Willemse levelled things up shortly later before shanking another attempt to keep the scores at 3 – 3.
South Africa continued to camp themselves in the Irish half but couldn’t get over the Irish line.
Cheslin Kolbe was shown a yellow card upon one of Ireland’s few trips into the Bok half. Kolbe clearly lifted Mack Hansen’s leg before Pieter-Steph Du Toit joined him in lifting Hansen and flipping him over.
Du Toit was perhaps fortunate to avoid a yellow card for his role in the incident.
On the eve of his 100th test Irish scrumhalf Conor Murray showed glimpses of the form that previously had people believing he was the best scrumhalf in the world.
Unfortunately for Murray he appeared to pull a groin whilst making a brilliant break that led to a go-ahead Irish penalty.
The biggest takeaway from a tenacious half was the Bok line speed in defence as they hammered the usually brilliant Irish attack.
For the Boks they have made a real change to their attacking game with clever little kicks in behind which has put Ireland under serious pressure.
As the teams take to the pitch again it will be interesting to see what changes the coaching staff will make.
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