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Home » NOT Just Luck of the Irish as Ireland Beat Springboks for 1st Time on SA Soil

NOT Just Luck of the Irish as Ireland Beat Springboks for 1st Time on SA Soil

Actually it was more than just luck that helped Ireland secure a 26-20 win against South Africa at DHL Newlands in Cape Town today. With one man down, the 14-strong Irish team managed to outwit and outplay the Springboks with a gutsy game and determination to make history with their first win ever on South […]

By SAPeople
12-06-16 00:37
in News
Rugby

Actually it was more than just luck that helped Ireland secure a 26-20 win against South Africa at DHL Newlands in Cape Town today.

With one man down, the 14-strong Irish team managed to outwit and outplay the Springboks with a gutsy game and determination to make history with their first win ever on South African soil.

Both teams blazed in the first half, ending at half-time with 13 all (and an injury for Patrick Lambie that took him off the field and saw Irish player, South African CJ Stander, given a controversial red card).

But the second half belonged to Ireland with just a few moments of South African brilliance. South African fans took to Twitter to complain about the French ref Mathieu Rayna, Bok captain Adriaan Strauss (“too quiet”), new coach Allistair Coetzee, the quota system… but the bottom line was that Ireland played an incredible game, with 14 men on the field.

Congratulations Ireland!

Here are some of the moments from the Springboks’ Twitter feed:

The second test between Ireland and SA will take place on 18 June in Joburg, and the third and final match in Port Elizabeth on 25 June. #LoveRugby

UPDATE: Springboks talk about the match, admit “we let ourselves down” and Lambie is out of second test – more here.