Lucky Maree
Blitzboks playmakers, Ronald Brown and Selvyn Davids are back on the field just when they are needed most – and they are expected to deliver the goods.
But Ireland’s Terry Kennedy and Jordan Conroy are prowling in the midfield and it will be a tough job to contain him and their other runners for 14 minutes.
For fully two minutes the Blitzboks defend beautifully, but finally a gap as big as a barn door opens up and Mark Roache scores a strong try.
Seconds later, the TMO saves South Africa from another try. Will the Blitzboks make use of the opportunity?
They make a mess of at least two scoring opportunities but then Muller du Plessis scores next to the posts. The scores are locked at 7-7 at halftime.
It is impossible to know why South Africa lose their rhythm in the line outs but they do, and when they lose a second throw in and Harry McNulty scores – followed after the kick off by and then Jordan Conroy scoring under the posts.
South Africa are 12 points behind with two minutes to go. Is it game over for South Africa? Probably.
As so often during the year, the Blitzboks get it together when the match is already lost and score a try, making the score line look better, as if it mattered.
Ireland 24-14 South Africa
Ireland tries: Mark Roche, Harry McNulty, Jordan Conroy, Jordan Conroy
Conversions: two
South Africa tries: Muller du Plessis, Mfundo Ndhlovu
Conversions: two
Image source: @Springboks
