A defiant performance from their pack who resisted the Boks’ Bomb Squad with something to spare in the second half paved the way for an important win although everybody in the Ireland camp appreciates there is a long way to go yet. In fact technically they haven’t quite qualified for the quarter-finals although they are in the box seat.
The first half was two or three steps up from anything we have seen thus far in this tournament, 40 minutes of staggering intensity and ferocious, legal, cold eyed tackling. It felt like the final even if that is still five weeks away
Despite limited scoring, both sides were full of attacking intent. Twice Faf de Klerk launched enterprising double miss passes directly to his wings although on both occasions those moves broke down. Ireland meanwhile twice turned down kickable shots at goal as they went to the corner it.
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