Substitute link-up Ciaran Frawley kicked a drop goal after the siren as Ireland celebrated a 25-24 victory over world champions South Africa in a tough test at King’s Park to level the series at 1-1.
As time expired, Frawley kicked his second drop goal of the match on Saturday to give the tourists their second away win in South Africa, completing a famous victory after they lost the first Test 27-20.
Thanks to halfback Conor Murray’s only try of the game, Ireland deservedly led 16-6 at halftime, but faced a resurgent home team in the second period and were forced into numerous errors by the Springboks’ pressure.
South African link-up Handre Pollard took eight penalties and the hosts appeared to have taken the initiative in the game before Frawley sealed the win for Ireland with a powerful shot.
“It was a real test match,” said Ireland captain Caelan Doris. “We were happy with our start but the Springboks showed their class to turn the game around and take a four-point lead.”
“After that it went back and forth, but I was just thrilled when I saw the ball fly between the posts at the end.
“We just had to keep believing. We knew that if we made it to the Springbok 22, we could score points. It’s a good feeling to end a long season with a win like this.”
The contest was brutally physical at times, with Ireland initially having the upper hand before the Springboks fought back in the second half.
Trailing by five points with ten minutes left, Frawley then kicked the first of his drop goals to put his team within striking distance, completing the goal on the final play.
Ireland were the better side in the first half and scored an excellent try that deserved early pressure, with defender Jamie Osborne getting through the tightest gap and passing to centre Robbie Henshaw who played a pass back inside to Murray who scored.
The Springboks made their mark by winning a penalty in a scrum to reduce the deficit, but there was a contrast between Ireland’s sophisticated attack and that of the home team, who scored several goals from good positions.
Two penalties from Pollard reduced the deficit to four points in the second half, the second of which came when Doris was shown a yellow card for a dangerous clearance in the scrum and the visitors were reduced to 14 players for ten minutes.
The Springboks continued to press on and Ireland continued to give away penalties. When Pollard scored a sixth goal, the home team took the lead for the first time after 56 minutes.
They extended their lead on the scoreboard to four, but Frawley’s two brilliant saves sent the visitors home as winners.
“We weren’t as intense in the first half as we were last week,” said Springbok captain Siya Kolisi. “We defended well, the guys on the bench came in and made an impression.”
“Ireland had the upper hand and dominated us physically in the first half. Last week we set the tone, this week they did the same and compliments to them.”