Andy Farrell’s side underlined their status as genuine World Cup contenders with a statement win in Paris.
Ciarán Kennedy Reports from Stade de France AS IRELAND AND SOUTH Africa walked out to be met by a raucous reaction at the Stade de France, the Webb Ellis was waiting to greet them at the end of the tunnel. It might just be coming home with one of these sides in a month’s time. This was an epic contest that lived up to the hype, and then some. Half entertainment, half absolute torture. It felt like the night this World Cup really burst into life, Ireland edging a World Cup classic 13-8.
Ireland were going to have to meet that physicality head on and the start was ferocious, Rónan Kelleher setting the mark with a massive early hit on Damian Willemse.Then a pattern began to emerge. Ireland were doing well to work their way around South Africa’s linespeed, flirting with finding a way through without ever really punching a hole. They spent much of first quarter in the Springboks 22 but their lineout was a disaster. Kelleher saw his first throw pinched.
There were flashes of brilliance. Hugo Keenan went rampaging down the right before being tackled short of the line. Bundee Aki tore down the middle of the pitch only to find himself surrounded by white jerseys with no support. It set up a fascinating second half, given everybody in the ground knew exactly what the Springboks had planned.
It was enough to make the 30,000-strong travelling Ireland support believe. The Fields rang out. The players took some water on. Somehow, we still had 20 minutes to savour.
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