Marcell Coetzee was proving to be a general menace to Ireland for 65 minutes on Saturday as he thundered into tackles, scored off a rolling maul and fended Jamie Heaslip into next week.
The Sharks flanker was one of the few Springboks that shone during their 29-15 to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. With the Boks trailing by six points, going into the final 15 minutes, replacement scrum-half Cobus Reinach located a charging Coetzee. If he broke the Irish defensive line he would have been one-on-one with Rob Kearney, who was already drifting out to cover the right wing.
Irish fans need not have worried as Paul O’Connell teamed up with Robbie Henshaw to deliver a crunching stop that resulted in a crucial turnover. Despite giving up 30lbs to Coetzee, Henshaw stood tall while his captain wrapped the marauding South African around the midriff.
Ireland won their scrum – despite Mike Ross hitting the deck – and Johnny Sexton cleared their lines. This Irish supporter approved:
O’Connell attempted 17 tackles throughout his 80-minute stint. He did not once miss the mark.
