South Africa survived a chaotic, card-full contest with a brave Ireland as the Springboks again cemented their status as the best team in the world.
A first win in Dublin since 2012 was hard-earned for the visitors despite yellow cards being shown to four Irishmen and lock James Ryan being sent off for a dangerous clearout in the first half. Having fallen behind to scores from Damian Willemse, Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, as well as a penalty try, Ireland somehow stayed in the fight even with circumstances against them to threaten a grandstand finish late on after Dan Sheehan’s first-half try had just about kept them in touch.
