South Africa 8-13 Ireland: Johnny Sexton and Co make a huge statement in France as they beat the reigning World Cup champions in a Test for the ages
Daily MailThe Irish line held firm, refusing to yield in the face of a physical threat the size of freight train, to emerge with a win for the ages. Mack Hansen scored for Ireland as they toppled South Africa at the Rugby World Cup The win meant Ireland put a big marker down in their bid to become world champions next month in France Johnny Sexton again played a vital role in victory for Ireland before going on later in the match The bond formed these past few years with the Irish nation helps. South Africa were left licking their wounds after wasting some kicking opportunities with the absence of a solid kicker at 10 Cheslin Kolbe went over earlier on in the game, which turned out to be an intense tactical battle in the capital The starting XV looked like the detonators in an opening 20 minutes which took them printing towards the Irish first receivers like men possessed, sending the Irish barrelling back and, in the case of Garry Ringrose, walking from the pitch for a head injury assessment. Ronan Kelleher found Tadhg Beirne and when the ball reached Sexton, he checked, holding the South Africa defence for long enough to allow Mack Hansen to find space. There was a beautiful aesthetic about some of the Irish passing interplay around the edge of the South Africans’ own 22, and seemingly no way beyond the pulverisers but penalties by Sexton and Jack Crowley, his replacement, saw them home.