Anyone who suspected that Ireland’s position at the top of the world rankings might unnerve them, or that they had peaked in New Zealand last July, may have to think again. Powered by a two-try blitz in the third quarter, they shocked the world champions and then hung on – with the help of some self-inflicted wounds by their opponents – for a famous victory.
As expected, South Africa’s turbo-charged bench made their presence in the final quarter but if anything, it was Irish replacements who had as great an impact. Finlay Bealham survived well in the scrum after Tadhg Furlong departed at the break; Jimmy O’Brien looked entirely at ease in this febrile atmosphere; and Jamison Gibson-Park transformed Ireland’s game by his speed of
© Times Newspapers Limited 2022.
Registered in England No. 894646. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF.