Springboks beat Ireland, hand Coetzee first series victory

25 June 2016 - 02:00 By Alvin Reeves
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

South Africa extended their unbeaten run at Nelson Mandela Stadium to four matches as they edged Ireland 19-13 (half-time 13-10) in a closely-fought third rugby test in Port Elizabeth on Saturday night.

Luke Marshall (2-R) of Ireland is tackled by JP Pietersen of the Springboks (R) during the third and last Rugby Test match between South Africa and Ireland at Nelson Mandela Bay rugby stadium.
Luke Marshall (2-R) of Ireland is tackled by JP Pietersen of the Springboks (R) during the third and last Rugby Test match between South Africa and Ireland at Nelson Mandela Bay rugby stadium.
Image: AFP PHOTO / MICHAEL SHEEHAN

Ireland were chasing a first-ever series victory on South African soil but they were kept at bay by a determined Springbok side who‚ as a result of the win‚ handed new coach Allister Coetzee his first series victory.

The Springboks wanted a quick start to the test in the Bay after having conceded big leads in the opening halves of both the previous tests in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

But the Irish made the majority of the running in the opening 40 minutes. That South Africa led at the break was thanks mainly to some solid scrumming and some brilliance from Elton Jantjies in finding wing JP Pietersen who scored a try from the flyhalf’s cross-kick.

The second half saw Ireland enjoying good territory and possession once again. They looked full of running and the Bok defence needed to stand firm which it did in the face of a late Irish assault. The series win was completed but much work lies ahead for the Springboks ahead of the Rugby Championship.

The Boks made some early first half pressure tell with flyhalf Jantjies slotting a fifth minute penalty and the home side had the upper hand in the early scrum exchanges.

But they suffered a setback when fullback Willie le Roux was yellow carded for taking out Ireland fullback Tiernan O’Halloran in the air after 11 minutes.

The Irish took immediate advantage of their superior numbers and after a number of phases‚ centre Luke Marshall crashed over for his team’s opening try midway out. Flyhalf Paddy Jackson added the extras for the visitors to take a 7-3 lead.

Jackson then missed a penalty in the 21st minute but two minutes later he succeeded with another as Ireland took advantage of their superior possession.

Jantjies landed his second kick of the evening when the Boks were awarded their second scrum penalty and the gap was reduced to 10-6.

The Boks regained the lead on the stroke of halftime as Jantjies and Pietersen combined beautifully with South Africa on the attack. Jantjies chipped the ball over the Irish backs for Pietersen to pluck it out of the air and score in the corner. Jantjies kicked the conversion for the Boks to lead 13-10 at the break.

It took all of 20 minutes into the second half for the first points to be scored. And they were an impressive three points as Ruan Combrinck banged over a long-distance kick from within the Boks’ half of the field.

The introduction of the Boks bench once again made a difference like it did in Johannesburg last weekend. Steven Kitshoff‚ Julian Redelinghuys and Jaco Kriel were introduced and that seemed to signal a switch in momentum.

Jantjies and Jackson traded penalties as the score shifted to 19-13 with only 10 minutes to play.

The Boks will be relieved that they managed to weather the late Irish storm to complete the come-from-behind series win.

Point-scorers:

South Africa – Tries: JP Pietersen‚ Conversions: Elton Jantjies‚ Penalties: Elton Jantjies (3)‚ Ruan Combrinck

Ireland – Tries: Luke Marshall‚ Conversions: Paddy Jackson‚ Penalties: Paddy Jackson (2) -TMG Digital

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now