South Africa v Ireland: Five takeaways from a brutal Rugby World Cup clash

Following a 13-8 victory for Ireland over South Africa in their Rugby World Cup clash, here’s our five takeaways from a brutal fixture at the Stade de France.

Knockout game intensity

It could’ve been a Rugby World Cup final such was the intensity, drama, passion and sheer brutality on show in Paris on Saturday. It was a game for the ages.

From minute one both teams threw the proverbial kitchen sink at each other, with Ireland having to soak up a barrage of pressure from the Springboks early on. But soak they did as they went into the changing rooms 7-3 in front, and despite going behind on 51 minutes, the Irish regrouped to come out on top.

This could easily be the final game of this tournament on October 28 at this ground as Ireland and South Africa showed once again they are the real deal.

This feels like a World Cup final rehearsal. Just fantastic.

— Simon Thomas Rugby (@simonrug) September 23, 2023

Ireland’s lineout woes

One facet of play Ireland must improve against Scotland and in the knockout matches is their lineout, as it was a thorn in their side tonight against the Boks.

At one stage in the first period, they had won just two out of their seven throws, with Ronan Kelleher struggling both in accuracy and against the Bok contests. Fortunately for Ireland things did improve as the fixture wore on – and Dan Sheehan entered the fray – but it will definitely be an area of work next week.

On the flip side, Peter O’Mahony was his usual nuisance on opposition ball as he upset the Springboks’ set-piece at key times which helped limit the damage.

Springboks’ kicking woes

One sympathises for Manie Libbok and the Boks who are in attendance at the ensuing press conferences, as there is bound to be a focus on the goal-kicking.

For Libbok, he was unsuccessful with a penalty and conversion, while Faf de Klerk hit a post and was wide with two long-range shots at goal on Saturday.

While the fly-half is an outstanding player who has provided an extra weapon in the Springboks’ armoury since his rise to prominence, there has always been a nagging concern that his low success rate off the tee may come back to haunt South Africa in big games such as this. Well, tonight has been that occasion.

https://twitter.com/joshgardner/status/1705682241672618280

Ireland set sights on quarter-finals

This was effectively the first of five knockout games for Ireland as they target lifting the William Webb Ellis Cup for the first time. They will be pleased that they have a 14-day turnaround before clashing with Scotland at this venue, but feel confident having won their last eight games against their Six Nations rivals.

Topping the pool will likely come with the reward of facing New Zealand in the quarters, a team the Irish have a fantastic recent record against, winning their last two fixtures against them and will feel a hat-trick is not out of the question.

Ireland were put under the pump in all facets of the game and despite their shortcomings, they were able to grind out a win over an impressive Bok outfit. The sign of a great team is winning when you’re not playing your best, and Andy Farrell’s side have done that time and again; today was just another example.

Boks risks back-fire

There were three major risks that the Springboks took before this crucial Rugby World Cup Pool B clash; first, their seven forwards on the bench; second, no out-and-out hooker replacement and third, no recognised back-up kicker.

The first only backfired because there was no proper back-up kicker for Libbok, but they certainly made an impact from the bench, while the second was only costly with one skew throw, hardly damaging in the grand scheme of things.

However, the timing of the substitutions was another gamble as hooker Bongi Mbonambi surely had more minutes in him, with his departure and that of their skipper Siya Kolisi meaning that most of the Springboks’ long-term leaders were also off the park in the crucial minutes of a crunch Test match.

This will undoubtedly be a learning curve for the Springboks and the coaches.

READ MORE: Springboks player ratings: Kicking woes cost world champions against Ireland