It all goes down to the final Test in Port Elizabeth next weekend.
After about 60 minutes of the Second Test, at Ellis Park, Ireland looked like boosting a nation’s sporting spirits. The footballers may have lost 3-0 to Belgium at Euro 2016 but Joe Schmidt’s men were coasting against South Africa.
Then they ran out of gas.
From 26-15 up with 15 minutes to play, Ireland leaked two converted tries and a penalty to lose 32-26. The series is level and it is hard to know why. Ireland were the better team but could not find the energy and daring to finish their wounded opponents.
They paid for their hesitation and were battered by awesome cameos off the Springbok bench. Here’s how we rated the men in green:
Jared Payne – 7
Born to play fullback. Safe as brick-built houses under the high ball and can time his runs to do heaps of damage to defensive lines. Great support for Trimble in the lead-up to Devin Toner’s try and chipped in with some meaty tackles. Guilty of drifting too far for the Warren Whiteley try.
Andrew Trimble – 8
This man was not at the 2015 World Cup. Somehow.
Sensational game from the Ulster winger. Badgered the South Africans all day and was our best kick-chase weapon. His persistence and quick-thinking saw Lwazi Mvovo nutmegged and helped tee up the Toner try.
Robbie Henshaw – 7
His defence was needed here and he stepped up. When does he not? Early strip on Damien de Allende turned over possession. Gave away a poor penalty in the closing stages, moments before de Allende’s try.
Stuart Olding – 6
A couple of jinking runs and smart passes had the Springboks on the back foot. Did lose out in a couple of straight up tackles and needed Henshaw and Payne to back him up.
Craig Gilroy – 7
One first-half incision gained us 20 metres in the space of two side-step bursts. Fantastic tackle on Le Roux to shut down a threatening attack. Swept up well in cover defence to hack the ball out when J.P Pietersen hacked through.
Paddy Jackson – 7
Early rip on Siya Kolisi to show us he was up for defending again. Solid off the kicking tee as Ireland built a lead but missed some long-range punts. Kicked well out of hand for the most part. Got bounced in trying, and failing, to stop that Cornbrinck try.
Conor Murray – 7
Brave as hell in the tackle and we needed him for some last-ditch tackles. Quick on the scene to keep an attack going for the Toner try. Was bulldozed for de Allende’s crucial try, however.
Jack McGrath – 8
World-class, pure and simple. Penalised for arrowing in at an early scrum but was faultless thereafter. Had the Bok pack in trouble and won Ireland two penalties. Tackled like a demon too.
Rory Best – 6
Aside from one bizarre lineout toss, he was fantastic at the set-piece. Won two turnovers and was constantly on hand for the double-team tackles that worked so well.
Tadhg Furlong – 9
His time has come. Gave ‘The Beast’ a torrid time and showed great industry and brawn around the pitch. Good shift for an hour. Lost the set-piece impetus when he went off. Will pressure Mike Ross for his jersey next weekend.
Devin Toner – 8
Brilliant game again from the Leinster lock. Soaked up some freight train hits to stop the Boks in their tracks. Great legs to get up there and charge over for his try. Superb in the lineout too.
RHYS. RUDDOCK!!! pic.twitter.com/Qn1LKnESXE
— Patrick McCarry (@patmccarry) June 18, 2016
Quinn Roux – 7
Many, including ourselves, questioned the Connacht man’s selection but he had a fine 50 minutes. Was crucial in backing up Furlong in the scrum and made a number of big, strong tackles.
Iain Henderson – 8
Did an awful lot of damage to the Springboks with ball in hand and won three turnovers for his team while he was at it. Dropped a dolly early on in the game and looked a bit gassed as the game progressed.
Rhys Ruddock – 8
One of his finest games for Ireland. 100% committed to tackles, be they high, low or in between. Worked his arse off in defence and showed up in attack, brilliantly spinning to find Toner for his try.
Jamie Heaslip – 8
South Africa targeted him at the breakdown but he stood up to their hits, legal and illegal. Looked to have won the game with his try off the rolling maul. Put in a full, 80 minute shift but looked spent in the closing stages.
Replacements
David Kilcoyne (For McGrath ’66)
Finlay Bealham (For Furlong ’59)
Donnacha Ryan (For Roux ’51)
Kieran Marmion (For Murray ’76)
More to follow…
