Ireland added another layer to their feisty rivalry with the Springboks but their head coach Andy Farrell would not be drawn into the debate about which of the two sides are the best on the planet.
“I actually don't care,” said Farrell after his team prevailed 25-24 in a tight, tense and often tetchy clash in Durban on Saturday.
With the Boks having won the first Test in Pretoria it left the series with an unpalatable one-all scoreline with no decider to break the deadlock.
“They are two good sides,” reminded Farrell. “You don't want to separate them. It is what it is. You could join two, three, four countries into that conversation. I think World Rugby is in a good state because of that,” said Farrell.
The way his team snatched victory from the World Champion Springboks spoke of the character that resides in Ireland's team.
Courage summoned
Apart from summoning courage they also showed great composure to set up a second drop goal opportunity for replacement back Ciaran Frawley, who nervelessly slotted the winning kicking as the siren sounded.
“When you hang in there, you just know with this team there is always going to be a chance. The guts, the bravery they have. They showed that experience,” said Farrell.
The win for which Ireland had to dig deep ranks high with the much-decorated Farrell.
“As far as drama and the pressure we put on ourselves to perform, it is right up there. They are a wonderful team, a magnificent team.”
It is a view echoed by Ireland's impeccable captain Caelan Doris, who added his team more than stood up to the physical challenge presented by the Boks. It is not often the Boks are battered but the first half especially proved a battle field with the hosts more vividly carrying their battle scars. Locks Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert were treated for bleeding, while Willie le Roux left the field concussed after the first move.
“The first half was right up there with the best we've had. I think South Africa showed their class in the first 20 of the second half,” said Doris.
Heartbreaker
While Ireland delivered some telling body blows in the tight exchanges, it was Frawley's drop goal that pierced Springbok hearts.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said his team could do little about the drop that condemned them to only their second defeat in their last 14 clashes. “The drop goal that made the difference and a very good inside pass like last week,” he said about scrumhalf Conor Murray's first-half try.
“I can sit here with a sad face and think of excuses, but the best team won on the day. I thought the referee was good,” he said of Karl Dickson.
Erasmus said Ireland were better when it mattered at the end. “In the last minute they did better than us.”
With the series level, the two teams who have set the standard over the past few years will continue to size the other up from afar. Their fans will likely trade more vivid and colourful sentiment.
Frosty relationship
South Africa and Ireland have had a frosty relationship of late but Farrell, magnanimous in victory, was keen to break the ice.
“We have a function now and I'm looking forward to it,” said the coach. “It has been a long 13-month season. If we lost there would be no excuses at all. When you play for Ireland they are all proper Test matches. We will enjoy a beer with South Africa. The tussles have been immense.”
Few will begrudge Ireland that opportunity for they were the toast of Durban on Saturday.
For the Springboks it was a defeat that will rankle, but perhaps one that arrived at a timely juncture as they set course building for the next RWC.
