Ireland prove they can win Rugby World Cup after beating up Springboks
The IndependentSign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But it’s Ireland’s narrow, 13-8 win over South Africa that will go down as this tournament’s first true example of vintage, pure Test match rugby. Their victory means Ireland will likely top Pool B and face New Zealand in the quarter-finals, although every Irish person will become Italian for the day next Friday as they root for the Azzurri to pull off the greatest World Cup shock in history against the All Blacks. open image in gallery James Lowe was a bundle of intensity and energy for Ireland And the mostly Irish crowd were a weapon for Andy Farrell’s men throughout as Lowe, Aki and Sexton all gestured to them to increase the noise after another key turnover in the 22 after Faf de Klerk’s monster penalty had struck the crossbar and been recovered by the chasing South Africans shortly after half-time. The strategy received some immediate vindication as the new men helped the pack splinter an Irish scrum in the 22 before the ball was spread wide for Cheslin Kolbe to run over in the corner, although Ireland quickly retook the lead as they won a scrum penalty of their own down the other end and left Sexton’s boot to do the rest.