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'They'll say that was the difference': Springboks left to rue goal kicking
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber conceded the better team won and was left to rue a couple of wayward kicks at goal.
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South Africa suffered their heaviest defeat to Ireland when the sides last met – a humiliating 38-3 Aviva Stadium thrashing in 2017.
The Springboks returned as holders of the Webb Ellis Cup and seeking to avenge that embarrassment against hosts who shot to the top of the global rankings on the back of a stunning summer series win in New Zealand.
Following a stop-start opening period which ended 6-6, the game sparked to life with Hansen capping a spellbinding move to put Ireland in control of the scoreboard just three minutes after Van der Flier powered over.
Fly-half Damian Willemse missed a straightforward first-half penalty, while Cheslin Kolbe struck the posts with the conversion following Mostert’s try.
“I thought Ireland deserved this one,” said Nienaber. “They showed why they are number one in the world.
“They got a couple of opportunities and they capitalised on that. They nailed it and we got a couple of opportunities and we didn’t nail it.
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“We saw things that were good and some things that were not so good. We need to get some aspects of our game in order.”
Speaking of the goal-kicking, he said: “Probably if people look at it they’ll say that was the difference between the two teams.
“Johnny missed also a kick or two but he nailed the big ones and we missed a couple and it’s something we’ll keep working on.”
“The difference tonight was that Ireland used all the chances they created, and we didn’t. There were some good things and other areas that were not so good, and we’ll work on that as we prepare for the Test against France.”
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On the winning side, Andy Farrell hailed Ireland’s “guts” after his side shrugged off a host of injury setbacks to cement their status as rugby’s top-ranked nation with a thrilling win over world champions South Africa.
The in-form Irish laid down a marker ahead of next year’s World Cup pool-stage meeting with the Springboks by holding off a late fightback to claim a deserved 19-16 Dublin success.
Mack Hansen’s scintillating try added to a bulldozing effort from Josh van der Flier early in the second half before scores from Franco Mostert and Kurt-Lee Arendse brought the tourists to within touching distance.
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton kicked three penalties, including what proved to be a match-winning one six minutes from time, to ensure the hosts’ autumn campaign began with a bang.
However, a stunning victory came at a cost, with Farrell awaiting full details on the first-half injuries suffered by centre Stuart McCloskey, centurion Conor Murray and prop Tadhg Furlong.
Asked what he learned about his squad, the head coach replied: “A lot; that we’ve got resilience, we’ve got guts, character.
“We wanted the different type of Test match that was a proper old-fashioned slinging match to see where we’re at in that regard. And, wow, I thought the character of the side was immense, for all sorts of reasons.
“You start with them coming into camp and a lot of them being undone in terms of where minutes is concerned.
“Never mind it being our first game of the season, it’s some of the lads’ first game of the season and some of them have not played for three or four weeks.
“I thought we showed fantastic spirit. Having said that South Africa are a hell of a side and it was a hell of a Test match and it could have gone either way.”
Farrell is hopeful the injuries to McCloskey (twisted arm) and Furlong (jarred ankle) are not serious, while he had less of an update on scrum-half Murray, who limped off on the occasion of his 100th cap due to a groin issue.
“I’m unbelievably proud of them of how they’ve applied themselves,” continued the Englishman.
“Our set-piece was unbelievable and on the back of that our defence was immense.
“It was a proper Test match. If the result had been different for us I’d still have felt the same way.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Obscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
15 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
15 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
15 Go to comments