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.
Wynand Meisiekind defending like a trojan!!
Sexton great stuff 6 – 10
Impressed with Bekker – he is having a great game.
Bokke 10 / 6
153
Agree
But we miss Bakkies
Italy 17-6
Kirchner also playing well! Very solid, good coming into the line too!
10 out of 10 for the way all our players are playing
The irish definetly had there mielie pap this morning 🙂
153 – Irish – Bekker seems to improve with each game I see!
But BODS attempt was pap LOL
BOD, you dirty sod!
Morne, my heart is in my mouth when you kick these days!!
Steyn, long attempt just short
Steyn needs some power pap at half time
162 – GBS Hehehheheeh
Puma has overtaken me on the comments…….. 🙁
Morne moer die bal deur
Common Morne i have faith in you
Another loooong one by Morne….. short off the post
Oh Morne, you need Percy there to show you how to kick in N.H fog – he learnt how to handle it in Wales!!
Lemoenetyd
i jinxed him 😥
Morne needs to get them over. Will cost us. Get those kicking boots on Morne we know you can do it.
See Scotland winning 6/0 Go Scotland.
Pap of opkikers vir Morne.
Ek voel hierdie game gaan gewen of verloor word deur PdV se gebruik van die Bench.
171 – Carol that could be it. My mates keep saying the same. I just think Morne can do better. He kicked in bad weather. Maybe nerves for the first time coming in?
Time Italy Score Samoa
58 Fa’afili – red card
49 Tebaldi – drop goal 17 – 6
47 Mai – sub on
Fuimaono-Sapolu – sub off
43 Taulafo – sub on
Va’a – sub off
40 start of second half start of second half
40+1 end of first half 14 – 6 Esau – penalty goal
end of first half
37 Gower – penalty goal 14 – 3
22 M Bergamasco – sub on
Favaro – sub off
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
0 start of first half start of first ha
Be fair to Morne… those were 2 very long attempts.
Meant he kicked in bad weather in NZ. Maybe not fog though.
178 – GBS, That is why we need Fransie in that team. WE miss Fransie for sure. Zane not doing bad though but he can not kick for goal.
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