Ireland edge out South Africa in battle of titans

Ireland cemented their status as the number one-ranked side in world rugby as they edged an enthralling tussle with defending champions South Africa in their 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool ‘B’ match played at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Manie Libbok’s early penalty put South Africa ahead as Ireland’s line-out malfunctioned, losing four of their own throws, but Bundee Aki’s sensational break sparked them into life.

After camping in the Springboks’ 22, the pressure told as James Lowe released Mack Hansen to dive over, and Johnny Sexton’s conversion gave the Irish a 7-3 interval lead. South Africa hit back on the resumption when Libbok’s long pass put Cheslin Kolbe over for a try, only for Sexton’s penalty to edge Ireland back in front.

Libbok and Faf de Klerk both missed further shots at goal before Jack Crowley’s late penalty sealed a momentous victory. Ireland made one change to the side which beat Tonga 59-16 last time out, as scrum half Jamison Gibson-Park came in to start, with Conor Murray moving to the bench.

South Africa made headlines by naming a 7-1 split of forwards to backs among their replacements bench – something seen for the first time in Rugby World Cup history, as scrum half Cobus Reinach was the only back named. Ireland were physical from the off, with hooker Ronan Kelleher dominating Damian Willemse in contact, and Kolbe knocking on into touch out wide. From the resulting line-out, Franco Mostert stole Ireland’s first big chance, though.

On three minutes, Ireland had a chance to take the lead through a routine penalty from close-range, but Sexton and co surprisingly chose to kick to the corner – the wrong call when the Boks pack stole a second line-out in as many minutes. As it was, Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony was soon penalised for going off feet in the 22, with Libbok able to kick South Africa into a 3-0 lead in the sixth minute.

Into the closing stages, Ireland went up the other end, and when a Crowley attempted drop-goal was charged down and ran dead, Ireland were handed a five-metre scrum, which brought the comfort of a penalty and three further points when South Africa were penalised for driving early again. Ireland, with a five-point lead, appeared all but there, but a final breakdown penalty gave South Africa one final line-out attack, which they mauled up to the Irish try-line, but were dramatically kept out by a totally spent Irish defence.

Ireland next face Scotland on October 7, in their crucial final Pool ‘B’ game, at the Stade de France in Paris while South Africa are next in action vs Tonga on October 1, for their final Pool ‘B’ game, at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille. (C.D)

The post Ireland edge out South Africa in battle of titans appeared first on DailyNews.