Damian Willemse looks dejected after the Springboks' defeat by Ireland in Dublin. -AP
Ireland have come out on top in a physical battle against South Africa with a 19-16 victory that handed the top side in the global rankings a psychological boost over the world champions ahead of their title defence next year.
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After a ferocious first 40 minutes which had more injuries than clean line-breaks, the game opened up early in the second half with quickfire tries from Josh van der Flier and Australian Mack Hansen that put Ireland 16-6 ahead.
The host's stern defence finally buckled 13 minutes from time when South Africa lock Franco Mostert stretched over.
A Johnny Sexton penalty for the Irish crucially made it an eight-point game and a 76th minute Kurt-Lee Arendse try was not enough as the visitors' lack of a recognised goal-kicker proved costly.
The win meant Andy Farrell's men followed up their first ever three-Test series victory in New Zealand in July with another important win against a team they will face again in the World Cup pool stages in France in 10 months' time.Â
