Jump directly to the content
Live Blog
BOYS IN GREEN

Ireland 19-16 South Africa rugby LIVE REACTION: Irish BEAT world champions in tough Dublin match-up – latest updates

IRELAND beat South Africa 19-16 in a tough, gritty autumn international clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Johnny Sexton's penalty heroics put enough daylight between the two sides with seven minutes left before the Springboks made a fight-back to no avail.

  • RESULT: Ireland 19-16 South Africa
  • Ireland team: Hugo Keenan, Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Mack Hansen, Johnny Sexton (captain), Conor Murray; Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Peter OMahony, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter.
  • South Africa team: Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian Willemse, Jaden Hendrikse; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff.

Stay up to date with all the latest from the Aviva...

  • The try that swung the game

    There wasn't much to separate these two teams this evening but once Josh van der Flier went down in the corner, the pendulum swung in Ireland's favour.

    To the naked eye, none of us thought a try would be awarded, this is why TMO adds to this wonderful game.

  • Autumn series off to van der Flier

    Josh van der Flier was awarded the man of the match award today.

    Having scored a pivotal second half try, the flanker put in a real shift at the Aviva Stadium today.

    Ireland having to shut up shop towards the end with the visitors within 3 points of their score.

  • FT: Ireland 19-16 South Africa

    The full time whistle goes as the Aviva Stadium erupts.

    Huge win for the team ranked number one in the world.

    World champions defeated today in Dublin.

  • Ireland 19-16 South Africa

    80. Ireland are driving into the South Africa half.

    Looking to keep the ball down here to the bitter end.

    They know how important this win is.

  • Ireland 19-16 South Africa

    78. Three points in the game with three minutes to go.

    Importantly, South Africa miss the conversion to the try.

    Game management required by the Irish now.

  • Try - Kurt-Lee Arendse (South Africa)

  • Ireland 19-11 South Africa

    76. South Africa are desperately trying to get another try.

    They seem to have gone up a gear now.

    Ireland need to make sure they keep them out.

  • Ireland 19-11 South Africa

    74. Big points for Ireland.

    It now means that South Africa are more than a converted try behind.

    With six minutes left on the clock, time is running out for the Springboks.

  • Penalty - Johnny Sexton (Ireland)

  • Ireland 16-11 South Africa

    72. O'Brien has had a great game since coming on.

    It does seem that as soon as Ireland get a penalty in possession, they look for a crossfield kick immediately.

    That has not let to anything for Andy Farrell's side yet.

  • Ireland 16-11 South Africa

    70. Mistake from the Springboks.

    They look to go long with a kick into touch but it goes terribly wrong.

    Gives Ireland the chance of a reset now.

  • Ireland 16-11 South Africa

    68. Cheslin Kolbe strikes the post with the conversion and it comes back out into play.

    It puts the Springboks an unconverted try away from the Irish.

    Huge final ten minutes of the game ahead.

  • Try - Franco Mostert (South Africa)

  • Ireland 16-6 South Africa

    66. Penalty awarded to South Africa.

    They opt to kick for touch but Willemse cannot find touch.

    Huge cheer from the Irish fans in response.

  • Ireland 16-6 South Africa

    64. Play stops again as a few players get treatment for knocks and cuts.

    It does give the Irish players somewhat of a breather.

    Beirne comes off for Treadwell.

  • Ireland 16-6 South Africa

    62. Ireland turnovers get as much of a cheer as a Johnny Sexton penalty now.

    It is all one way traffic with South Africa retrieving the ball and looking to go again.

    Trying to breach the Irish defence.

  • Ireland 16-6 South Africa

    60. Ireland are standing firm whenever the Springboks attack.

    The blue wall holds once more.

    South Africa cannot find a way through.

  • Ireland 16-6 South Africa

    58. Clean lineout won by South Africa.

    They are trying to drive Ireland backwards.

    Holding firm, not letting the Springboks through, Ireland win yet another penalty.

  • Ireland 16-6 South Africa

    56. The team medics have been on the pitch a lot today.

    Ireland have dominated the Springboks in this second half.

    If you ever wondered why Ireland are ranked number one in the world, this half may help.

  • Ireland 16-6 South Africa

    54. Penalty awarded to Ireland on their own try line.

    It is kicked long into touch.

    Taking Ireland back up to the halfway line.

  • Ireland 16-6 South Africa

    52. Some loose play by Ireland there.

    Fortunately the Springboks were unable to punish them.

    The visitors are making plenty of changes, trying to make something happen.

  • Ireland 16-6 South Africa

    50. Great try by Ireland.

    Winning the ball back from South Africa, turning over possession and going for the jugular.

    They spread the ball from right to left with some quick passing and the final pass releases Mack Hansen into the corner.

  • Try - Mack Hansen (Ireland)

  • Ireland 11-6 South Africa

    48. Johnny Sexton fails to convert the try from out wide.

    Andy Farrell's team have a slender lead over the world champions.

    A long way to go in this game still.

  • Try - Josh van der Flier (Ireland)

Topics