Ireland player ratings vs South Africa | Rugby World Cup 2023
Ireland made a major statement to the rest of the World Cup on Saturday evening at the Stade de France as they overcame the world champions South Africa 13-8.
It was a brutal affair between the world number ones and the reigning champions with Andy Farrell’s outfit holding out a late onslaught from the Boks to win.
Now Ireland are in pole position to win Pool B, here are how the players rated:
15 – Hugo Keenan – 8
Set the tone for the Irish with his first run and was a constant threat with ball in hand. His balance in heavy traffic is remarkable and is getting better with every test match
14 – Mack Hansen – 8
A well taken try made up for an early dropped high kick and he is a player who has that marvellous ability to be in the right place at the right time although he almost ran over the dead ball line before putting the ball down.
That was too close for comfort.
13 – Garry Ringrose – 7
Had to go off for a HIA in the first half after taking a big blow but responded in typical fashion by putting his mark on his opposite number.
12 – Bundee Aki – 9
What a first charge from the big man which let the Springboks know there was a physical threat coming their way. He is playing at a level that makes him one of the outstanding backs at the World Cup. His off loading game is right up there with the best.
11 – James Lowe – 8
Early positional mistake did not affect is bubbling confidence as he gave the scoring pass to Hansen and then rescued his side by ripping the ball away from the opposition as they drove for the try line. Became an even bigger national hero lifting Etzebeth off the ground.
10 – Johnny Sexton (capt) – 7
Massive hit on his right shoulder had him in trouble but this is warrior who is used to be roughed up. Clever break held the Springbok defence when they wanted to go wide and it created the space for the Hansen try.
9 – Jamison Gibson-Park – 6
Was exposed too often by the Boks charging him down or scragging him at the break down. His service was as quick as ever although his overall game suffered because of the pressure he was under
1 – Andrew Porter – 6
Good work clearing out the break down but things did not go his way in the scrums with a couple of big decisions against him in this key area
2 – Ronan Kelleher – 5
Had a nightmare at the line out in the first half including a not straight but instead of letting his head drop he bounced back but will be frustrated that his bread and butter work wasn’t up to standard.
3 – Tadhg Furlong – 6
The scrums did not go Ireland’s way at key moments and the big made had to take on plenty of piano shifting in the tight rather than carrying the ball into the opposition
4 – James Ryan – 6
Line out problems were not solved quickly enough and this was the type of game that shows he lacks the sheer brute strength to be a commanding figure
5 – Tadhg Beirne – 7
Stuck in the fight although not the ball carrying performance he normally delivers and that meant plenty of unglamorous work around the break down and knocking down opponents
6 – Peter O’Mahony – 8
Was his combative best when others found it tough to stand their ground. Was the go to man when the line out was malfunctioning and put in a big shift – but what’s new for this fighter
7 – Josh van der Flier – 7
A first half turn over and a refusal to back down despite facing bigger back row opponents made it a ferocious battle for the open side who confirmed his position as one of the best in the game
8 – Caelan Doris – 7
Not the impact he wanted to make although he kept putting his body on the line and that was vital against the Springbok pack and their second half replacements
Replacements: – 6
Dan Sheehan made immediate impact with his line out accuracy while Iain Henderson added fire and fury at the break down while Finlay Bealham was busy
Comments on RugbyPass
Hey Ben, Thanks for your opinion article. As a die hard rugby tragic and loyal supporter of the game can I say your article seems a touch negative so I would like to offer a slightly different spin on it. I am assuming that the sole purpose of the Super Rugby competition is not just to be a training camp for the International teams but an independent event and competition in its own right with sponsors, media companies and teams that need a financial return. Now, from this rugby fans perspective, I am enjoying the last few weeks of the competition and enjoying the fact that most teams can still make the play offs and nobody wants the wooden spoon. Most rugby followers would agree to it being a travesty if the Crusaders or the Waratahs now made it to the final but history tells us it is very unlikely with the importance of home ground advantage. Playing each team once and a four team final would give the competition integrity and a level playing field for all teams but I would be surprised if it could satisfy the financial demands of the TV rights. Maybe a six team finals series might be a possible compromise.
3 Go to commentsAll good choices John, even the Tah players ha ha. Others that might be worth a look would be ; Cale, Tom Lynagh, Uru, Keunzle, Anstee and maybe Rory Scott because we need a backup to McReight and he has improved a lot from last year and Tim Ryan.
1 Go to commentsWe only have 12 teams - and probably should only have 10. If we cut it down to 10, had a single round robin format, and only had semi-finals and a grand final, the final game would be on the first weekend of May. Meanwhile the AFL (similar to the NRL) runs until the last weekend of September and starts almost a full month after Super Rugby. At least the players would get plenty of rest!
3 Go to commentsAs article says re Japanese Final. Todd Blackadder up against his old mentor/ coach at Canterbury and the Crusaders , Robbie Deans. Both legends in this part of the world. Richie Mo’unga, ( another legend), playing brilliantly for Toddy’s team.Great to hear.
1 Go to commentsNo doubt Razor will want to kick the 2024 campaign off with a decisive selection of the top match fit players to insure his selection as the appointed coach has maximum impact. We the supporters and critics will settle for nothing less because historically it is what we have become ingrained and accustomed to. With that in mind and the distinct fall from grace of his beloved crusaders we will expect him to stamp his mark in the same way he left his old post.
9 Go to commentsI would've expected a better turn around in response to the changes within the team and its management. Lacking in my opinion is the skill sets that once was and now seemingly vacant within the squads regular front runners. Furthermore there seems to be no set game plan, the accuracy that once was is no more, the quality off the bench were poor matchups and frankly I feel a lot has to do with the coaching. Never thought i’d be critising the sadas to this degree.
5 Go to commentsAverage AB captain by recent standards. Speaks to the wider issue
9 Go to commentsWholesome lad, but no longer test level. At all
9 Go to commentsThis game was always going to be close, Canada have such a dominant pack and the Black Ferns have come unstuck in that area against teams like France and England in the past.
2 Go to commentsA distinct discomfort with the officiating they were probably selected from the local IRA narcos branch along with the commentators bloody fly tippers.
1 Go to commentsWow, never thought I would read that
2 Go to commentsExcellent match. Great to see Keenan and Ryan back for Leinster. Super result for Ulster. Season is turning around.
1 Go to comments“We need eight or nine new players, who are hard-wearing and durable and experienced Premiership performers”. So why are they scouting a retired fullback who himself admits that his “body is broken”?
1 Go to commentsBrumbies hand, knocked a Crusaders hand. Therefore, knock on in goal. Crusaders, goal line drop out should’ve been awarded. most likely after that 24 each at full time, so extra time would’ve been the right an entertaining outcome. Act Jim
1 Go to commentsSpeell cehck
1 Go to commentsColeman is gaawwwwnnn.
1 Go to commentsnext SA head coach?
3 Go to commentsGreat try by van Poortvliet.
1 Go to commentsThey have been cruelled by injuries but almost nobody (Sevu Reece and Fletcher Newell big exceptions) has played above himself which regularly happened before. Surely Scott Robertson had maintained the recruitment programme and it looks like a reasonable squad. Last in this competition will stall a lot of careers. Penny seems likeable. But it’s not enough even though this was better. We haven’t been good enough and it’s not helped by the “it’s been 15 years since… “etc “after nearly every match. Seems somehow a soft gifting of something once valuable. Kieran Read giving comments last week almost choked describing the easy surrender of possession by the forwards. I’d love to think that the senior players some of whom are back can show enough pride in the jersey to test the Blues next week.
5 Go to commentsWho will Joe select for the back three with so many in form candidates? Just hope he doesn’t get shafted like Dave Rennie and to a lesser extent Deans.
8 Go to comments