Robert Kearney of Ireland is unable to stop Juan Smith of South Africa diving over the line for the first try during the Guinness Series 2010 match between Ireland and South Africa at Aviva Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Dublin, Ireland.(November 5, 2010 - Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)
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Springboks rumble to victory in Dublin
South Africa survived a late comeback from Ireland to record their first victory on Irish soil in ten years, winning 23-21 at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
South Africa survived a late comeback from Ireland to record their first victory on Irish soil in ten years, winning 23-21 at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
There have been a few comments regarding 'traditional' Test match rugby of late and the purists wouldn't have been disappointed in Dublin.
A late conversion from Ronan O'Gara bounced off an upright to deny Ireland a draw that had seemed unlikely only a few minutes earlier after South Africa had controlled the game from the outset.
In soaking wet conditions, the set piece was always going to be primordial and the Springboks' dominance in both the scrums and line-outs laid the platform for victory.
With a few familiar faces missing from the Bok back-line, the visitors probably welcomed the rain as it allowed their experienced pack to rule the roost.
The hosts weren't doing themselves any favours though - crooked throw-ins, early engagements and fumbled passes became all too frequent under the pressure from the tourists.
Man of the match: Hats off the South African pack. Victor Matfield was supreme in the line-outs, but we'll go for Juan Smith - not just for his try, but for carrying the ball like a gladiator and tackling like a machine.
Full Match Report Here:
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Nov 13
Samoa v Ireland
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
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S Africa v Wales
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
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