Ireland took on the Springboks at Croke Park, Dublin today. Ireland won 15 / 10.
It is with mixed emotions that I make this match summary…
Let’s start at the beginning. It was a pleasure, no an absolute pleasure, seeing the Springbok scrum going forward… the first 3 scrums must have scared the Irish silly and then came the fourth scrum and the Bokke pulverised the Irish even more, leading to a well worked move left and Schalk Burger, the old war horse barging his way over the try line for the only try of the match.
Morné Steyn converted the try and at this stage the Sringboks were leading 7 / 3.
The Springbok forwards continued their onslaught and set up a golden opportunity for Morné Steyn to slot a drop goal, which he duly did… Bokke 10 / 3!
The Irish began to find their feet though, with excellent line-out steals against the Springboks and with sublime cleaning of the ball, over the player on the ground. They defended well and it became difficult for the Springboks to get over the halfway line.
Morné Steyn missed two long range penalties, one dropping under the crossbar and one dropping both under and against the upright.
Jonathan Sexton put a penalty over and suddenly it was Ireland 6 / Bokke 10, there was just a four point margin, this was also the half time score.
After half time the Irish came out fired up, forced mistakes from the Springboks and they conceded penalty after penalty within kicking range, with Sexton slotting them time and again, making it 9 / 10, then 12 / 10 and lastly 15 / 10 for Ireland.
Eventually Morné Steyn was replaced by Ruan Pienaar, who did no better than Morné, having a kick charged down and missing a penalty attempt.
Jean de Villiers replaced Wynand Olivier who had a top game, specially on defence. There was a bit more to the running game with Jean on, but to no avail and at a time when only a try would have won them the game.
Sexton then missed 2 penalties as well….
BJ Botha was replaced in the game, why I’m not sure, but John Smit moved to tight head and Bismarck du Plessis slotted in at hooker. Andries Bekker was replaced as well, with Danie Rossouw moving into the lock position and Dewalt Potgieter earning his first cap.
During the last 8 minutes, the Bokke threw everything at the Irish who defended and defended and kept the Bokke out.
Go rest now Bokke, fix those weary bodies, next year is another big year!
Points:
Ireland: 5 Penalties Jonathan Sexton
Springboks: 1 Conversion & 1 Drop Goal Morné Steyn, 1 Try Schalk Burger
Teams:
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O’Driscoll (captain), 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Tomas O’Leary, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 David Wallace, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Paul O’Connell, 4 Donncha O’Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Jerry Flannery, 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Tony Buckley, 18 Leo Cullen, 19 Sean O’Brien, 20 Peter Stringer, 21 Ronan O’Gara, 22 Gordon D’Arcy
South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Danie Rossouw, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Andries Bekker, 3 BJ Botha, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Jean Deysel, 19 Dewald Potgieter, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Jean de Villiers.
Date: Saturday, 28 November 2009
Time: 16:30 SA Time (14:30 GMT)
Venue: Croke Park, Dublin
Expected weather conditions: There 20 percent chance of rain, with a high of 6°C which is 0°C with the windchill factor, getting colder, and a wind from the north of 28 km/h, freshening to 36 km/h
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Chris White (England), Carlo Damasco (Italy)
TMO: Hugh Watkins (Wales)
See the changes to the Springboks lineup with the late withdrawal of Bakkies Botha. Andries Bekker now wears the No 4 jersey and Francois Hougaard comes in on the bench.
30@ Oirish – What a croack of shite!
Hehehe
How are you young man?
27 – Irish, Thanks for that. I really love the Irish anthem and the Scottish one too. Think both anthems are the most beautiful. Just to hear those bagpipes sends chills down my spine. Then I have no doubt our anthem will be sung beautiful there today.
Okay the visitors from next door and from up the road just arrived. Supposed to come at 4pm they are early. Must be the nerves going. My nerves are just starting too.
Back later. May the best team win.
Go Bokke.
News from Ireland – Bakkies got cold feet and decided to sit this one out. I know it’s old news but no news is good news – or what the hell am I trying to say. How is the atmosphere in the Republic GBS! Probably nothing like here. It is huge for us mate.
@31 GBS – I know but I hope I make it through the game – have been putting a few away already. Yeah of course it is crap. 😆
Do they sing both songs.
We better get a second one too.
ABs psych us up with the Haka maybe the Ireland call will do the same today.
@32 Puma my mate. You go and enjoy the game mate…no matter what you still the best mate.
33 – Irish, It is huge for us too. Anytime the Boks play it is huge in South Africa. One day you must come to a game here at one of our stadiums. Brilliant atmosphere. We are RUGBY MAD HERE.. 😆
Very hot on the highveld. Could not imagine a game being played here unless it was played later. Swimming and braai weather. Going to braai some nice Tiger Prawns in about a hour.
Okay back later. Damn visitors came early.
@35 Superbul – yes they start with our national anthem and then the rugby anthem follows.
33@ Oirish – Everything is fine here in the GBS Republic… got my Bokke gear on… and earlier, driving past a few pubs, I saw that preparations and celebrations were well under way already…
It is boiling hot here in SA today, must be 37 degrees C or close to it outside, here in Brakkenjanpan… think I need a dip in the pool before the game….
@35 Superbul – yes Rasta gets to sing it twice
@39 GBS – Well it is exactly 2degree C in Cork! 🙁
13:45 – the time standeth still
40
That will leave the opponents rolling with laughter. By the time they recover we might be out of sight. Great idea.
41@ Oirish -Oi… that’s freezing… damn man, come to the land of milk and honey… and honeys….
@44 GBS – the last honey catches my eye mate. I hear great talent in the Republic!
@43 SuperBul – we don’t understand a word – so wouldn’t even know the difference
Will be back later gator! Having one with my buddies quickly
amper tyd, magtie maar ek sien uit na die games vandag.
Amper soos met CC final
Habana met n snor, kort net n pruik soos PdV.
Hy change vinnig vandat hy uit Pretoria is.
GBS jy al opgewarm
Italy 8-0 vs Samoa after 7 minutes
Just a quick one.
Go Bokke.
36 – Thanks Irish, May the best team win mate.
Going now to watch. May not post as much have some visitors over but will try and post a bit.
Catch up later.
Italy 8-3 samoa , 11 minutes
14 8 – 6 Esau – drop goal
11 8 – 3 Esau – penalty goal
9 Timoteo – sub on
Tuilagi – sub off
7 McLean – try 8 – 0
6 M Bergamasco – penalty goal 3 – 0
6 minutes to go gents….
Mirrag mense
Lyk nie of daar reen en wind is nie
Time Italy Score Samoa
20 M Bergamasco – penalty goal 11 – 3
14 Favaro – sub on
M Bergamasco – sub off
11 8 – 3 Esau – penalty goal
9 Timoteo – sub on
Tuilagi – sub off
7 McLean – try 8 – 0
6 M Bergamasco – penalty goal 3 – 0
Hi All
They say Bokke Fans have been walking about Croak Park wearing animal skins to keep them warm!!
Do you guys not have coats!! 😆
GBS, SAB. superBul – Hi Chaps….
Funny how exciting this is!!
Loved the hugs froms John Smith
GO BOKKE !!!!!!!!!!!!!
58
Hi C
wearing green, dark green?
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