South Africa Dominates Ireland 24-13 Amid Discipline Issues

South Africa secured a commanding 24-13 victory over Ireland in Dublin on November 11, 2023, showcasing their dominance during the ongoing November tour. The match was marred by disciplinary issues for Ireland, who played part of the game with only 12 players due to a red card and multiple yellow cards.

The back-to-back world champions, South Africa, opened the scoring with a try from Damian Willemse. This early momentum was further solidified when Cobus Reinach crossed the line following James Ryan‘s 20-minute red card. Ireland struggled to maintain discipline, with Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley both receiving yellow cards during a chaotic nine-minute period in the first half. Although Dan Sheehan managed to score for Ireland, a penalty try awarded to South Africa by the end of the first half put them firmly in control at 19-7.

In the second half, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu added another try for South Africa, marking their fourth consecutive win on tour. With one final match against Wales on the horizon, the Springboks demonstrated their strength against an Ireland team still adjusting after a mixed November series.

Discipline Costs Ireland Dearly

Ireland faced significant challenges early in the match, as they were unable to cope with the physicality and precision of South Africa’s attacks. Malcolm Marx, named player of the match, emphasized the toughness of the contest, stating, “The character that they (Ireland) showed was immense.” Despite being reduced to 12 players, Ireland managed to hold South Africa at bay for extended periods.

The first try from Willemse came as a result of South Africa’s trademark blend of forward strength and swift passing. This initial breakthrough came just minutes into the match, leaving Ireland scrambling to regroup. Shortly after, Ryan’s yellow card was upgraded to a red after a dangerous tackle, significantly impacting Ireland’s ability to compete.

The hosts attempted to rally, with Sheehan’s try reducing the deficit to five points. However, South Africa capitalized on Ireland’s ongoing disciplinary issues, leading to a penalty try that solidified their lead going into halftime.

Late Pressure and Missed Opportunities

As the second half progressed, Ireland found themselves back at full strength, but the damage had been done. They managed to score another penalty through Prendergast, yet the Springboks’ relentless pressure meant that any hopes of a comeback were dampened.

Despite the numerical advantage late in the game, Ireland’s attack fell short against South Africa’s defensive line. The game’s final moments were tense, with Ireland pushing hard on the Springbok try line, but they ultimately ran out of time to convert their efforts into points.

Ireland captain Caelan Doris acknowledged the challenges faced during the match, stating, “Chaotic for sure… obviously we’re here to show more than that.” The defeat serves as a crucial learning curve for Ireland as they continue their November series, while South Africa’s performance solidifies their status as a formidable force in international rugby.