Ireland scored two tries in their win with Jordan Coghlan scoring in the first half and Iain Henderson scoring in the second to secure the win. Out half JJ Hanrahan capped a fine personal performance adding two conversions, two penalties and a drop goal in a composed performance with the Irish out half bossing the game.

South Africa appeared the more composed in the opening exchanges as Ireland fluffed their clearance kicks and it was no surprise when the hosts went into a 3 – 0 lead, through Tony Jantjies, after 10 minutes.

However Ireland’s play began to settle and they worked their way back into the game with solid scrums an lineouts and Ireland drew level after good work from Henderson set up a penalty chance. Hanrahan slotted it over to tie the score and shortly after a mistake from the Baby Boks gave the Irish outhalf a chance to put Ireland in the lead.

Hanrahan fluffed the kick but the ball managed to work its way over the crossbar and Ireland took a 3 – 6 lead after 25 minutes.

South Africa looked rattled and Ireland appeared to be feeding of their indecision, forcing turnovers and keeping the hosts on the back foot. The pressure eventually told when impressive back row Jack Conan forced a charge down from a clearance kick and Coghlan gathered the ball to sprint 15m to the line for a well deserved try. The conversion was good and Ireland had a ten point lead with the score reading South Africa 3 Ireland 13.

Ireland were well on top, and South Africa were poor, but it looked as though Ireland would need another score to stem any second half fight back from the Boks. However no further points were scored in the first half and the teams turned round with the scoreline unchanged.

South Africa hit back within 15 minutes of the restart, with a try from Paul Willemse after a period of sustained pressure on the Ireland line, taking the score to South Africa 10 Ireland 13 and Ireland needed to score next or the momentum would swing in favour of the hosts.

Hanrahan duly obliged with a well struck drop goal to put Ireland six points in front but within 7 minutes the teams were level with South Africa slotting over two quick penalties.

In previous years Ireland would have run out of puff in the final quarter but instead of capitulating they upped their efforts and were duly rewarded after great work from replacement hooker James Rael, who drove his own charge down up to the South African line. A quick recycle saw Henderson stretch over the line for the decisive try. Hanrahan added the extras to give Ireland a 16 – 23 lead with about 13 minutes to go.

South Africa hit back four minutes later to make it a four point game with less than 10 to go and it looked as though the Baby Boks might steal the game in the closing minutes.

Ireland however held firm and great defensive work from centres Foster Horan and Chris Farrell together with a fair degree of composure from Peter Nelson kept the Irish line intact for a memorable win for the Irish boys.

Final score: South Africa 19 Ireland 23.