Springboks FB
Ireland took control of Pool B in the rugby World Cup in France, edging the Springboks 13 – 8 at Stade de France on Saturday night.
It was, as expected, an 80-minute arm wrestle with the Springboks going into the lead with a Mannie Libbok penalty.
Ireland hit back with a converted try to go into the half-time break with a slender 7-3 lead.
The Boks bomb squad came on in the second half to make an early impact, but the Springboks could not convert their opportunities inside the Irish half
Cheslin Kolbe got South Africa’s only try of the match but there will be questions about the kicking as a conversion and three penalties went begging for the Springboks.
South Africa came away with a losing bonus point to go second in the pool on nine points, with Ireland on 10.
Speaking post-match, Captain Siya Kolisi, said they would have loved to have won.
“It was a great game, an intense game. We left a little bit of opportunity out there, but it was a great test for us,” the captain said.
“They gave it to us from the beginning to the end. South Africa are an outstanding team,” said Bundee Aki, who was named Man of the Match in his 50th test for Ireland.
The Springboks next date at the 2023 Rugby World Cup will be against Tonga on Sunday, 1 October.
