South Africa 27 Ireland 20 as it happened: Andy Farrell’s men defeated by world champions in Pretoria
Ireland's Craig Casey, centre, kicks the ball out of play during the Test match between South Africa and Ireland at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa proved too strong for Ireland in the first Test at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
Ultán Corcoran brought you the action as it happened and you can relive the game below.
Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 6th
RSA
27
:
20
Ireland
That's all we have time for this afternoon! The Springboks draw first blood in the two--test series but Andy Farrell's Ireland will have a chance to respond next Saturday as the two sides face off again. Thank you for joining us here on the Independent.ie live blog! Enjoy your evenings.
Respect between the sides at full-time. Always a pleasant sight to see after such a game of attrition:
Ryan Baird's late try almost gave Ireland a late platform to go in hunt of the draw:
A knock on punctures Ireland's chances of a late converted try, but in truth it would have been difficult to go the distance from underneath their own posts.
The Springboks defeat Ireland for the first time in 8 years. It wasn't perfect at times from either side, but it was a thriller. Both sides gave it their all.
The Springboks defeat Ireland for the first time in 8 years. It wasn't perfect at times from either side, but it was a thriller. Both sides gave it their all.
Jack Crowley's hurried kick is missed but Ireland will have a chance to attack from the restart to draw.
A REMARKABLE GAME! BAIRD SCORES TO GIVE IRELAND A LIFELINE!
Ireland recover possession from their own restart and James Lowe powers the legs to pop it off the big back-rower who extends his arm and scores in the corner.
Ireland recover possession from their own restart and James Lowe powers the legs to pop it off the big back-rower who extends his arm and scores in the corner.
PENALTY TRY FOR THE BOKS!
The Springboks have gone long all afternoon with their kick restarts and this time James Lowe fumbles the ball over his own endline. The Boks get a rather fortunate put in to the secum just 5 metres from the Irish try line.
The subsequent scrum is powerful from the Boks and Luke Pearce jogs under the posts to award the penalty try! Surely game over now!
The Springboks have gone long all afternoon with their kick restarts and this time James Lowe fumbles the ball over his own endline. The Boks get a rather fortunate put in to the secum just 5 metres from the Irish try line.
The subsequent scrum is powerful from the Boks and Luke Pearce jogs under the posts to award the penalty try! Surely game over now!
The Munster out-half fires over the extras and we have a grand-slam finish on our hands in Pretoria!
BRILLIANT TRY BY CONOR MURRAY!
Ireland collect the goal-line drop-out where Conor Murray feeds Finlay Bealham. The tighthead pops it inside to Ronan Kelleher who runs into open field and checks Willie Le Roux to slip in Conor Murray.
Ireland collect the goal-line drop-out where Conor Murray feeds Finlay Bealham. The tighthead pops it inside to Ronan Kelleher who runs into open field and checks Willie Le Roux to slip in Conor Murray.
NO TRY! Once again small margins haunts Andy Farrell's Ireland. The leg of Eben Etzebeth prevents the ball from being grounded.
Caelan Doris reaches out but Luke Pearce adjudges the ball to be held up on the boot of a Springbok player. There is a TMO check...
The try-scoring winger is sent to the sin-bin for repetitive penalty concessions by the Springboks. Ireland will have go for the tap and go under the posts.
Caelan Doris and Josh van der Flier carry hard out wide with advantage still in their favour. Bundee Aki burts through Handre Pollard but Kurt-Lee Arendse reads the play to wrap up Jack Crowley.
Ronan Kellehe's lineout is taken and Ireland have the advantage as the maul is set. Ciaran Frawley goes wide but the pass goes astray. Play is tracked back to the lineout where the Boks had an extra man in the lineout.
Jack Crowley kicks Ireland inside the Boks' 22 but Peter Steph du Toit snaffles possession from Ronan Kelleher's lineout which as malfunctioned on a couple of occasions. Fortunately the Boks fail to clear their lines and Ireland win a penalty for Boks' players obstructing Conor Murray at the ruck.
The game is scrappy from the restart with both sides making mistakes. Grant Williams coughs up a penalty for diving on top of Bundee Aki on the floor rather than tackling the centre.
The action threatens to boil over again as Caelan Doris and Peter Steph du Toit get close and personal with teammates piling in.
The action threatens to boil over again as Caelan Doris and Peter Steph du Toit get close and personal with teammates piling in.
Cheslin Kolbe's try epitomised 'never give up' as South Africa extend their lead:
At the fourth time of asking, Handre Pollard resumes his usually accurate goal-kicking to add the extras from the right touchline.
THE TRY STANDS! James Lowe's foot was not in touch.
Agonising for Ireland but as is so often the case, test rugby hinges on small moments. Credit to Cheslin Kolbe who never gave up on the kick and got his just rewards.
Agonising for Ireland but as is so often the case, test rugby hinges on small moments. Credit to Cheslin Kolbe who never gave up on the kick and got his just rewards.
This is ridiculously tight... each frame of the Match Official's camera is nail-biting.
