Thank you for joining me for this match, which ended as it began in thrilling fashion. Ciaran Frawley kicked a last-second winning drop goal to pull Ireland level in the series against South Africa. You can catch up with all the action below. Have a good weekend!
Here’s some reaction from one of today’s earlier games:
In his press conference, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said: “There’s always a chance for this team because of their guts and bravery.”
Ireland’s summer fixtures draw to a close with that narrow victory over South Africa. The Springboks, however, play Portugal next Saturday.
Some pictures from that last gasp winner:
I think Ireland enjoyed that one:
Come the day and come the hour!
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 13, 2024
A drop goal from Ciaran Frawley and a win for Ireland!#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/Z1DPy4gwK0
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi told Sky: “I think in the first half they tested the physicality and we were just playing catch us. They were dominating us. That was the big change from last week.
“We will work hard, learn from this and we will see them again.”
Frawley missed a drop goal in the Champions Cup final which could have won the game for Leinster and so to take a match deciding drop goal again, but this time on an international stage, is huge.
Guy Hornsby has emailed and said:
Unbelievable game. I have no idea how Ireland won that. They looked out on their feet and SA looked so dangerous. But they kept making errors and couldn’t quite put them to bed. Perhaps early injuries had an impact but that’s a hell of a result. Two superb series here and in NZ, both went down to the wire in all four games. A titanic battle, a hell of an advert for rugby.
Yes, wasn’t it incredible. South African fans must be heartbroken but all rugby supporters were treated to a first class Test there.
Ciaran Frawley told Sky: “It’s mental, the place is like a fortress it was so loud. The game was going back and forth. The boys dug in deep. I think the lads who came on had a real impact, there was a positive vibe. The subs were made at the right time.
“It’s been 54/55 weeks. We will look to come back [even better].”
Caelan Doris has said: “There was still time, there was two points in it and we believed we could score.
“It’s a good feeling, finishing a long season with a win like that.”
Conor Murray told Sky Sports: “Incredible. To come here, to the world champions back yard, we knew it would be tough.. We believed in ourselves, I think we can be really proud.
“It wasn’t perfect tonight at all. It’s good for the game, we say we don’t hear what happens off the field but it creates another element to it. There is huge respect there. It is honour to go toe-to-toe with them.”
Here’s Frawley’s hero moment:
CIARAN FRAWLEY WITH A LAST-GASP WINNER 😯
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 13, 2024
Ireland have BEATEN the world champions South Africa 🤩🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/ZIQZWvv5T0
‘Zombie’ rings around the stadium from the Irish fans watching on. A slice of rugby history. This means the Test series is a draw.
Frawley watched the ball leave his feet, his eyes willing it through the sticks. As it went over he ran away in delight, spinning his finger in the air. Wow, absolutely incredible.
Full-time: South Africa 24-25 Ireland
I’m speechless. What a game.
81 min: Hang on, is there some obstruction in the build-up? The Boks think so. But no there is not, what an ending.
DROP GOAL! South Africa 24-25 Ireland (Frawley, 81)
The line-out is secured. They go through the hands. The phases come and go. Frawley then lands a kick!
80 min: Ireland’s scrum sees them come away with it but they have such a long way to go. Frawley kicks it through and Feinberg-Mngomezulu sees it into touch, that is a heroic amount of territory to gain. An Irish line-out to come.
79 min: Frawley looks to find Lowe on the wing but it has too much on it and it is out for a South Africa line-out. Marx’s throw is good as they trundle their way forward but Ireland win a breakdown penalty.
77 min: This entire match has been a manic and cagey affair, I don’t know about you but I am absolutely loving it. The victor still not clear to see with just three minutes left. Immense.
76 min: The line-out is good and Ireland are in search for a potentially try-winning opportunity. However, Henshaw throws a manic pass and there is no way Lowe can get onto it.
74 min: Lowe kicks away and Kolbe receives, he thinks about kicking it back but instead runs into traffic. A kick eventually comes in and Lowe catches, calls the mark and taps to go. Arendse gives away a penalty and Ireland clear upfield. Breathless.
72 min: Anyone else absolutely exhausted just watching how much these players are putting into this? What an effort from both sides. We have a South Africa scrum now after Ireland knock on, it’s clean and the hosts are soon into attack but Kolbe is dragged into touch. Etzebeth’s forehead has been cut open again with blood pouring down his face, he needs some attention and time is off.
DROP GOAL! South Africa 24-22 Ireland (Frawley, 71)
Snyman and Du Toit take a bow, they both get underneath Healy to hold the ball up over the line, Pollard boots a goal line drop and Frawley collects and slots it! Wow.
Updated
70 min: Ireland get a penalty because South Africa enter the line-out too early and so Ireland tap and go.
69 min: Feinberg-Mngomezulu saves a 50:22 by Frawley but his clearance kick is out on the full so we come back for an Irish line-out. The set piece is initially intercepted by South Africa but Koch is pinged at the breakdown, will they go to sticks or corner? They opt for the corner.
67 min: Ireland are the architects of their own undoing right now. South Africa are absolutely pressuring them but Ireland’s ill-discipline is costing them, every single one of their 24 points so far have been through Pollard’s boot.
PENALTY! South Africa 24-19 Ireland (Pollard, 65)
My word what a kicker he is.
65 min: The South Africa line-out is good but McCarthy pounces on Van Staden to win a turnover, an Irish scrum to come. The set piece is reset and, unsurprisingly, South Africa win a penalty on the second attempt. Pollard opts for the sticks.
63 min: Ireland may feel slightly hard done by as the ball came off of a South Africa player there so the penalty shouldn’t really have been given. Williams boots it upfield, Osborne collects but is pushed into touch and South Africa have a great position.
PENALTY! South Africa 21-19 Ireland (Pollard, 61)
It’s through
61 min: Ireland give away a penalty as McCarthy obstructs Feinberg-Mngomezulu. It’s another kick.
60 min: Doris has now made Ireland a complete 15 once more. Blade is on for Murray and Frawley on for Crowley for Ireland.
PENALTY! South Africa 18-19 Ireland (Crowley, 59)
He gets it and it is an impressive kick from Crowlet.
59 min: Ireland have made a change with Porter off for Healy and Van der Flier off for O’Mahony and Ryan for Baird. In game play Smith gives away a breakdown penalty and Ireland opt for the sticks. Penalty city right now!
PENALTY! South Africa 18-16 Ireland (Pollard, 57)
South Africa lead for the first time in the match.
56 min: Snyman offloads slickly to Marx who makes some metres, they are whipping it left and right as they edge closer to the line. Etzebeth goes into contact and he wins a breakdown penalty, expect another kick from Pollard shortly.
55 min: The Doris yellow card had been referred to the bunker review and it will remain a yellow. It was not upgraded because of Ryan’s actions in the ruck.
PENALTY! South Africa 15-16 Ireland (Pollard, 53)
The deficit is now only one point.
Updated
53 min: South Africa are again the next to attack, a try from the hosts feels inevitable with this pressure. The Springboks win a breakdown penalty with Ryan offside and they opt for the sticks.
52 min: Ireland’s line-out is under pressure on the line but it is executed well and Murray clears with a lot of territory.
51 min: Osborne does really well under a high ball and Ireland run it through the hands, Crowley opts for the kick and it feels like the wrong option and it turns out that way. It’s booted back and forth but South Africa eventually run it and this feels dangerous, Feinberg-Mngomezulu sees space in the back and he sends a ball a few metres from the try line.
49 min: The momentum has completely shifted here, now South Africa are only four points behind and they have a man advantage for ten minutes.
PENALTY! South Africa 12-16 Ireland (Pollard, 48)
The hosts cut the lead back once more.
YELLOW CARD! South Africa 9-16 Ireland (Doris, 48)
Doris dropped onto Marx’s lower limb in a crocodile roll and he has been shown a yellow card.
48 min: Actually it could be Doris in trouble here for a crocodile roll on Marx.
48 min: Time is now off as Marx has complained about a tackle on him, it did look a little dangerous from Ryan.
48 min: The scrum picture may have changed with those replacements but the set piece is still strong for the hosts. They come away with it and look to set up an opportunity, the ball is popped high, Ireland collect but South Africa win a penalty at the next breakdown.
47 min: I believe De Klerk is also off for a HIA, this is a truly physical battle. Bealham cannot collect a pass in the latest play and so South Africa have a scrum. The Springboks make changes with Mbonambi off for Marx and Malherbe off for Koch.
PENALTY! South Africa 9-16 Ireland (Pollard, 45)
It’s through.
45 min: Furlong is being seen by medics again here, I think he has hit his head in an earlier contact and he is now going off for a HIA, Bealham is on. Pollard is lining up for a penalty kick here.
45 min: Ryan steals the ball at the line but Feinberg-Mngomezulu catches and weaves around three defenders to launch another attack. The hosts then win a breakdown penalty.
44 min: The phases just keep coming and South Africa hit the line again and again but De Klerk slips as he attempts a grubber and Murray is able to collect and clear. A breathless start.
42 min: A ferocious game has a tasty start to the second half with Murray putting in a clearance kick for a Springboks line-out. The Irish intercept but kick away and South Africa are off, Arendse with monster metres.
Back underway! South Africa 6-16 Ireland
South Africa have not lost in Durban in eight years. Ireland have not lost consecutive Tests since 2021. One team’s record will be gone after this one.
Here’s the only try in this one so far:
So SLICK. So SMOOTH 😮💨
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 13, 2024
Conor Murray finishes off a WONDERFUL Ireland try 👏 pic.twitter.com/ddsATKSnTC
That felt like the longest half ever but at the same time it zoomed by because of the pace of rugby on show. The result still anyone’s to take.
Half-time: South Africa 6-16 Ireland
Ireland have been dominant in this half but they are only 10 points ahead of the Rugby World Cup holders. Can they hold on and beat South Africa? All to come.
PENALTY! South Africa 6-16 Ireland (Crowley 42)
It’s over.
42 min: Ringrose spills after a lengthy attack for Ireland but South Africa give away the penalty first. Tempers flare with some pushing and shoving before Crowley point to the posts.
41 min: Du Toit that is masterful, Doris powers for the line but his tackle stops him in his tracks.
40 min: Pollard’s restart is way too long, Murray touches it down so we are back to the centre for a scrum. The set piece is good for Ireland but South Africa swarm to try and nab it but Lowe boots it upfield, Pollard does so well to recover and dot it down before the Ireland wing.
PENALTY! South Africa 6-13 Ireland (Crowley, 37)
Crowley extends Ireland’s lead once more.
37 min: Etzebeth gets more bandaging to his head before the game gets back underway. Osborne is absolutely clattered by Nche but Ireland’s attack marches on and the visitors win a penalty with Du Toit obstructing, the men in green point to the sticks.
PENALTY! South Africa 6-10 Ireland (Pollard, 35)
South Africa cut the Irish lead.
35 min: The resulting scrum from the penalty sees South Africa win a penalty, the set piece is crushing Ireland at the moment. It’s their weakest point and South Africa’s strongest. This time Pollard points to the sticks.
34 min: The line-out from Mbonambi is good, they set up a maul but McCarthy come away with it and then he wins them a penalty. Absolutely phenomenal from the second row.
33 min: The commentators are saying this game could have the longest first half in history with it being 42 minutes since the game began, if that does happen I will let you know. There has been a lot of stoppages, particularly for those blood replacements. Anyway, back to the game, South Africa win a penalty and Pollard kicks to the corner.
31 min: Time is now off as Crowley has a bloodied nose, this is a bloodbath.
31 min: South Africa’s line-out was good and they continue to hit the Irish defensive line. It comes to De Klerk and he spills with the visitors kicking away. South Africa are uncharacteristically sloppy today.
29 min: Kolisi is having a word with referee Karl Dickson as he thinks something was awry at that breakdown, I think the referee has had a word with the TMO and they haven’t found anything. Lowe takes a kick and the referee clearly says “taken back in” and the winger’s kick is out on the full, we come back for a South Africa line-out.
28 min: It is Ireland’s put in at the scrum and it is clean from the visitors as they set up their latest attack. Crowley looks to kick but it is charged down by Smith who sprints after it, he is tackled and Ireland win the breakdown penalty. That was close to a try.
27 min: Porter’s ear is absolutely pouring with blood so the time is off to get that sorted before the scrum. I don’t know if I have seen this much blood in a single rugby match before.
27 min: Here we scrum again and South Africa win another penalty, it is the only weakness in Ireland’s game right now. The Springboks kick upfield and get a clean line-out, they run it through the phases but a pass to Kolbe doesn’t go to hand. We have another scrum.
25 min: The scrum is another strong one from the hosts and they clear as far as Osborne in the back field. It’s a bit messy as a high ball is popped into the air, it bounces as though it is in a pinball machine and the Boks win a scrum from a handling error.
24 min: The line-out is clean and the hosts are able to clear. It is the visitors though with the next attack and Nash weaves in and out of defence to make good metres. It comes to Crowley who opts for the cross field kick again, which doesn’t quite come off but they continue with possession. However, eventually Beirne knocks on.
22 min: A huge cheer for Nche as he snipes on a bouncing ball to relieve some attacking pressure. It is then kicked clear and Crowley puts ball to boot and secures an impressive amount of territory.
21 min: De Allende puts in a huge tackle and it looks as though South Africa were going to turn it over at the breakdown but Ireland manage to hold onto it.
PENALTY! South Africa 3-10 Ireland (Pollard, 19)
Pollard gets South Africa’s point tally underway.
18 min: Etzebeth is back on after his break to patch up some blood, Snyman is back off. But as one comes back on, another departs as Mostert limps off the pitch and so Snyman is immediately back on. The scrum sees South Africa winning a penalty and they point to the sticks. In other news, water is wet.
17 min: South Africa’s attack is in full flow but Ireland are standing firm and push them back a fair way. We come back to an earlier knock on. The cameras also show Le Roux on the bench, it seems he won’t be returning to the pitch after going off after hitting his head.
16 min: It has been a frantic start to the game and it is Ireland who have managed to compose themselves in crucial moments, hence the scoreline. South Africa have also had to deal with a shuffle in the team with blood replacements.
CONVERTED TRY! South Africa 0-10 Ireland (Murray, 14)
First try is over.
Ireland keep coming after the goal line drop out, a great offload comes to the scrum-half Murray and he strides over the line. Crowley adds the extras.
Updated
14 min: Ireland steal the line-out but immediately they kick it away, Arendse is able to clear but not for long with Ireland collecting and sending it through the hands. McCarthy makes a great break but the scramble defence is excellent from the hosts, the attack stalling Crowley puts boot to ball but Pollard challenges Henshaw well. The ball spills but it is dotted down by Boks hands, they clear with a goal line drop out.
12 min: Furlong is okay to continue but it is something to keep an eye on. We restart and both team exchange kicks, it ends with Crowley sending one out of the full and so we have a South Africa line-out.
11 min: Furlong looks injured here, he is led on the turf getting some attention to his hamstring. All the other players are taking on water.
11 min: Osborne mistimes his run after a high ball and takes Feinberg-Mngomezulu out in the air, South Africa have a penalty and they clear upfield. The Boks go short at the line-out as they edge into the 22. The attack doesn’t get anywhere and so Pollard opts for a kick, Crowley catches and calls the mark to clear.
9 min: Mbonambi’s throw is good and it sparks South Africa’s first attacking set. A grubber kick comes in and Kolbe is almost on the end of it but Ireland recover well and then they win a breakdown penalty. This game has unbelievable energy. Etzebeth is now off for a blood replacement, his shirt is covered in blood from a cut on his forehead and Snyman on.
8 min: Ireland deal with the restart well and Lowe sends it upfield and out for a line-out.
PENALTY! South Africa 0-3 Ireland (Crowley, 6)
Ireland point to the sticks and the kick is on the money.
6 min: The first scrum was reset, the second sees Ireland have a free kick and they tap and go. The long pass comes to Nash and then the team go through the hands but Etzebeth disrupts again, we come back for an earlier penalty advantage for offside.
4 min: Ireland’s line-out was clean and in the resulting attack Etzebeth intercepts but then spills in a tackle, a scrum to come. Le Roux is off for a HIA after he hit his head on a knee, Feinberg-Mngomezulu on in his stead.
3 min: Snyman was on temporarily for Mostert but he is quickly patched up and back on. Willie le Roux may have also gone off for a HIA, I’ll confirm once I know for sure.
3 min: Ireland continue to charge but they have been pushed back significantly through incredible South African defence. A kick comes through and it’s a chase which Pollard won and cleared. Time is off now to get some attention, Mostert is covered in blood.
2 min: The pitch is smoky after the fireworks to introduce the Boks but through the smoke is Ireland on the attack in the early stages.
Kick-off! South Africa 0-0 Ireland
Here we go then. Can Ireland level the series? Or will the Springboks seal the win? All to come.
The players are out in Durban and we just have the anthems to come before kick-off.
Andy Stout has emailed and said:
Am very much hoping the riders on Le Tour get a wiggle on. But there are 26km to go and 10km of those are up a Hors Categorie climb so they may be at it for a while yet.
If the stage doesn’t wrap up in time, I’ll have you covered with the updates. It is an action packed sporting weekend so it’s tricky to watch everything!
It is Andy Farrell’s 50th game in charge of Ireland today. He has told Sky: “Coaching milestones are no where near as valuable as a playing one, I wasn’t aware of it until I was told a few days ago…
“We’re always looking for ways of growing our leadership group, the main challenge for this week is making sure we are a better version of ourselves.”
Rassie Erasmus told Sky pre-match: “I think our motto is next man in, if someone is injured that is how it goes.”
That comes after he said “six or seven” players who would usually start are currently injured. It shows their squad depth with today’s squad having a record number of caps for a Springboks side.
Some of you may be wondering where Hugo Keenan is when looking at the team sheet. Well the full-back has temporarily switched to the sevens game for the 2024 Olympics. It has given an opportunity to Jamie Osborne and Ciaran Frawley this summer.
Garry Ringrose has said in the build-up: “Any opportunity that any of us get to play for Ireland, it’s never taken for granted. It motivates you to work hard, prepare and challenge the process of being as ready as we can to ultimately let go and attack the game at the weekend.”
I’d love to hear from you and where you are watching the match today. Are you relaxing at home? Have one eye on the Wimbledon action and one on the rugby? Let me know via email or X (@rendellx).
There have been other international rugby matches taking place today and to catch up with all of that action have a read of the reports below:
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has said: “I’ve no doubt South Africa are going to be twice as good this weekend so that’s why we need to move pretty quickly this week in terms of the honesty and where we’re at. But I do think if we get the performance that we’re after, we’re more than capable of winning.”
Today’s South Africa team is the most experienced ever named as they have 990 caps between them. Rassie Erasmus was asked about it before the game: “We don’t really look at such things when we select the team, but this shows how blessed we are with the depth in the squad and the quality of the players we have.
“While it may be an impressive statistic, it will by no means guarantee us a victory. We know we must go out there and play good rugby for the full 80 minutes to get the desired result.”
The team news is here. South Africa have made no changes to their starting XV but the team has a new record with Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel becoming the most capped centre partnership in the team’s history. The fixture today will be the 30th time they have combined.
South Africa: Willie le Roux; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Handré Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi, Poeter-Steph du Toit, Kwagga Smith
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Salmaan Moerat, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Grant Williams, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Ireland, meanwhile, have made four changes to their starting XV. Peter O’Mahony drops to the bench with Andy Farrell bringing in James Ryan into the second row with Tadhg Beirne moving to the back row.
The other changes see Garry Ringrose at centre, Conor Murray at scrum-half and Ronan Kelleher at hooker.
Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Calvin Nash, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird, Peter O’Mahony, Caolin Blade, Ciaran Frawley, Stuart McCloskey.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to South Africa v Ireland where the latter will look to get one back over their opponents after losing 27-20.
Ireland will have to try and get the win without two of their stars because of injury. Craig Casey was taken off in the second half of the first Test with a head injury after Dan Sheehan had already been replaced following a knee issue. Nathan Doak and Dave Heffernan have been called up as replacements in the squad.
South Africa, meanwhile, have had to deal with their own injuries but do not face any new problems for today’s match. Heading into the Test series they had big names like Jean Kleyn were ruled out with injury.
We will have an in-depth look at the team news shortly before kick-off at 4pm BST.
