Ireland suffered a tough defeat against South Africa in Dublin, marking the end of a 13-year wait for the world champions, who prevailed with a score of 24-13 in a match full of incidents.
Andy Farrell’s team was affected by indiscipline, losing James Ryan to a red card 20 minutes into the first half. In addition, Sam Prendergast, Jack Crowley, and Andrew Porter were sent to the sin bin.
The repeated infringements by Ireland occurred after a controversial play in which South African fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu avoided a card for a high tackle on Tommy O’Brien.
With Ireland playing with 13 men, Dan Sheehan scored a try in response to those scored by Damian Willemse and Cobus Reinach. A penalty try left the visitors with a 19-7 lead at halftime.
Despite being numerically disadvantaged, Ireland outperformed their opponents in the second half thanks to Prendergast’s penalties, although they were ultimately surpassed.
Paddy McCarthy was the fourth Irish player to receive a yellow card, as South Africa avenged defeats suffered at the Aviva Stadium in 2014, 2017 and 2022.
Two years away from the next World Cup, Farrell described the match against the number one team in the world as a “litmus test” for his team.Damian Willemse anota el primer try de Sudáfrica en Dublín.The home team started well, but were overtaken in the first four minutes when Willemse scored in the left corner.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu missed the conversion and escaped punishment after provoking a fight with his hard tackle on O’Brien.
Ireland suffered more frustrations midway through an intense first half. After a missed penalty by Prendergast, James Lowe gathered the rebound, culminating in a try by Tadhg Beirne, which was disallowed by the referee.
Referee Matthew Carley disallowed the try and sent Ryan to the bench for an illegal action, which provoked boos due to the apparent inconsistency.
Boan Venter’s try from South Africa was disallowed and Ryan’s sanction turned into a red card.
O’Brien of Ireland escaped a card for a high tackle, but suffered a nosebleed and was replaced by Crowley for a concussion assessment.
Reinach scored his team’s second try, with Ireland reduced to 13 men after Prendergast was cautioned for multiple penalties.Cobus Reinach celebra el segundo try de Sudáfrica.Sheehan scored two minutes later in an excellent Irish response, before Crowley, joined Prendergast on the bench for knocking the ball out of Reinach’s hands at a ruck.
Cian Prendergast came on to replace Ryan, but they soon suffered Porter’s expulsion, before referee Carley awarded South Africa a penalty try.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu surpassed Jamison Gibson-Park in the 47th minute, between Sam Prendergast’s penalties.
McCarthy received a yellow card, while the home team resisted the intense pressure.
Crowley prevented Ireland from distancing itself even further with two magnificent defenses, before South Africa celebrated.
