The Springboks secured a 24-13 victory over Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, ending a 13-year winless streak in the Irish capital. The match was marred by ill-discipline, with Ireland receiving multiple yellow cards and a red card. This win completed a perfect four-out-of-four European tour for South Africa.
The Springboks triumphed 24-13 over Ireland on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium, marking their first win in Dublin since 2012 and completing an unbeaten end-of-year European tour. The halftime score was 19-7 in favor of South Africa, who scored four tries to Ireland's one.
The game was defined by Ireland's ill-discipline, as English referee Matt Carley issued six yellow cards and one red card over the 80 minutes. Ireland's lock James Ryan was sent off in the 19th minute for a shoulder-first charge into Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx's face at a ruck; the yellow was upgraded to red after a bunker review, resulting in a 20-minute suspension under current laws. Ireland also saw yellows for flyhalf Sam Prendergast, replacement back Jack Crowley, and props Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy, reducing them to 12 men at stages due to scrum collapses and other infringements. They conceded 16 penalties in total.
South Africa started strongly with fullback Damian Willemse scoring after four minutes, following a sweeping move involving flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, wing Cheslin Kolbe, and flank Pieter-Steph du Toit. Scrumhalf Cobus Reinach added a second try with a dummy through the defense. Ireland responded with a try from hooker Dan Sheehan when down to 13 men, but a penalty try awarded to the Springboks just before halftime extended their lead.
After the break, Feinberg-Mngomezulu surged through for the fourth try, sealing the contest despite some sloppy play from the world champions. Ireland's approach focused on disruption rather than their usual multi-phase game, nearly dragging the match into a scrappy affair. As Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus noted in pre-match comments, this victory ticked another box in their campaign.
Scorers: Ireland - Try: Dan Sheehan; Conversion: Jack Crowley; Penalties: Sam Prendergast (2). South Africa - Tries: Damian Willemse, Cobus Reinach, Penalty try, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; Conversion: Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
The win highlighted South Africa's scrum dominance and resilience, even below their best, while Ireland showed grit but paid for their disciplinary lapses.