South Africa claimed a 2-1 series victory over Ireland in the third Test between the two sides on Sunday morning (AEST), winning the match by six points.
REPORT: SPRINGBOKS CLINCH SERIES
Final score
South Africa 19
Ireland 13
The first two Tests of the South Africa and Ireland series have been contests for the ages. In Cape Town, Ireland prevailed 26-20 despite playing with 14 men for an hour. In Johannesburg, South Africa rallied from a 26-10 deficit to snatch a monumental 32-26 triumph. Will the decider produce as much drama? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1am (AEST).
A bruising and brilliant series has forced both sides to make changes to their respective line-ups for the third test.
The hosts have introduced Ellis Park heroes Warren Whiteley and Ruan Combrinck for their starting debuts. Whiteley replaces the injured Duane Vermeulen, whose abrasive physicality will be missed by the Boks.
Combrinck’s addition, at the expense of Lwazi Mvovo, comes after his stellar performance last week. Combrinck’s ability to breach the line was superior, but his kicking strength in the territory battle will be pivotal too.
Elsewhere the Springboks are unchanged, though JP Pietersen swaps wings, and the Lions’ Jaco Kriel will be making his debut off the bench.
Ireland will welcome back first-choice blindside flanker CJ Stander, who has served his one-week suspension after his red card at Newlands. The former South African Under-20 rep will partner Jordi Murphy, who has also been recalled, in a new look back row.
Tiernan O’Halloran will make his first Test start – after a three minute debut off the bench last Saturday – in the absence of the injured Jared Payne. O’Halloran will be targeted with high-kicks so needless to say his handling and kicking will be vital to Ireland’s fortunes.
The remainder of the Irish side is settled and halfback Conor Murray wins his 50th cap. Peter Stringer (98) and Eoin Reddan (70) are the only other Irish halfbacks to reach the half-century mark for Ireland.
Some things to consider:
The Boks have made 100 more carries than Ireland in the series, but in the last test alone committed a massive 19 turnovers and have been on the wrong end of the penalty count in both games.
Since 1960 South Africa have played 19 tests in Port Elizabeth for 17 wins, a draw and a defeat. The lone defeat was suffered in 1974 (9-26) to the British and Irish Lions. In 2012 England held the Springboks to a 12-12 draw. Ireland have never played at the venue.
The two counties have played each other 24 times. South Africa have enjoyed 17 wins, Ireland six and a 1970 Test at Lansdowne Road that was drawn 8-8. Ireland have won five of the last eight Tests since 2004.
Ireland beat Australia in two tests in 1979, it’s the only time they have conquered a Southern Hemisphere team in a Test series.
Irish rugby has never been stronger, remember the Under-20s are in the final of the IRB Junior World Championships after this game, but the Senior side have blown some big chances doe real greatness, like the 19-0 lead that was lost to the All Blacks in 2014 when the Irish were on the brink of their first ever win against New Zealand.
Ireland fell apart in the World Cup quarter final after a strong showing in the Pool games and of course last week history beckoned, but was blown.
Tip: South Africa by ten.
Buddy71
Guest
Do u honestly think less roux had any chance of getting that ball. He had no chance. He turned sideways while jumping. He never went high enough to get it. His actions took the man out in the air. Red all day long. As regards understanding the rules I understand that they must be rules fairly and equally acroos all teams. In this case it was clearly a poor call from the ref. U say less roux was trying to play the ball in the air, was stander not trying to block the ball legally by jumping towards it. Let roux could not have been contesting the ball as he was late and never getting the ball. Rules state yellow card is not a fair challenge, there is no contest and the player lands on his back for side. Red card is the same but landing on head neck or shoulders. Simple really le roux late jump caused him to land on his neck head. a clear red. Read the rules. Note he was suspended for one match same as stander. Look at Jared paynes tackle and send off a few years back. What is the difference
izitbru
Guest
You clearly don't understand the rules. Le Roux was going for the ball, in other words, he was playing/attempting to play the ball in the air. Both players were contesting and then they collided. Le Roux never took his eyes off the ball, even though he closed them in the end. Stander was different. He jumped towards the player trying to block a kick. Both players weren't contesting the ball. Lambie had the ball in his hands. That is the difference. Stander when jumping into his face. It's no different to a high neck tackle. Le Roux didn't deliberately cause o Halloran to land on his neck. The ref even said, he wasn't intentionally colliding.
Buddy71
Guest
I laugh at the lack of comments on le roux tackle compared to standers tackle. Le roux should have got red. Far more dangerous than standers o halloran could have broke his neck. We need consistency from refs. I can't see how anyone thought that was a yellow. Home town ref decision.
izitbru
Guest
You're right. As a Saffa I agree with you. Only thing I don't agree with is lowering our expectations. We should always demand the best of the Boks, but we shouldn't be surprised either when we lose. The Boks are at best 3 or 4th. It's sad, but true. I would disagree that we have been that way for the last 9 years. In the last 9 years we won the Tri-nations and World cup. And we beat Australia quite a few times. We've beaten the All blacks more than the Wallabies have. We haven't lost to England in 13 years. But the Wallabies have. So while there's a whole lot of truth to what you say, there's also a few discrepancies. If anything, the Wallabies will thump us come Championship time. I'm a huge Cheika fan.
izitbru
Guest
Let's just face it. The Wallabies may have lost to England, but they were never shy of attacking and scoring superb tries. Cheika wasn't afraid to change his pack and even let some guys go. Now let's look at the Springboks. We struggle to even score tries, even when we're on the game line on metres out from their try line. And let's forget, this wasn't Ireland's best and strongest team on tour. We play certain players, even though they are not at their best. I'm not even talking quotas. Le Roux hasn't been on form for a while. He costs the Boks dearly, yet we play him. The same can be said for Malherbe. When it comes Rugby Championship time, do we honestly believe we will defeat Argentina, Wallabies and AB's? Do we? Because for the first time ever, I don't believe we can, not after what we showed on the park the last three weeks. I don't believe I am being negative, because I want the Boks to win more than anything, but when I read an SA paper writing the headline: Boks down Ireland to win, that couldn't be any further from the truth. We won, yes, but just. And not convincingly. I don't know one international rugby team that don't believe they can't beat us at the moment. If we faced England tomorrow, we'd be pummeled. And we haven't lost to them in 13 years. Coetzee needs to be honest with himself and have a hard look at our weaknesses and not be scared to make whatever changes he needs to
Suzy Poison
Guest
The Problem is Bok fans expect the Boks to win all their games and be number one in World Ruby. There is a misconception, that because the Boks were once a feared team, 20yrs ago, they can be that again. The Boks hover around the 3-5 world ranking and that's the reality. It's been that way for the last nine years, regardless of the coach and regardless of the players. For a small but brief flashes of time, the Boks made the number two spot, but very quickly were knocked off that spot. With the rise of England now challenging the All Blacks. ( the Boks have struggled under any coach to win one game in Oz, let alone 3) the number one and two positions are sown up. That leaves the Boks fighting for 3rd, where we currently sit. Depressing but true. The Boks are currently ranked as high as they ever will be, in the next 4 yrs. Lower your expectations and you might find the Boks are actually overachieving. The fact is, the financial situation and power of the rand makes it very difficult to compete with like the likes of England and Australia. And South Africa simply does not have the coaching nous of the New Zealanders. Factoring all that Coetzee is doing ok.
Pollard is not the answer either. At this stage Lambie, he himself has not had the opportunity to cement the position.
Suzy Poison
Guest
Ok Biltong so who is your solution to the 10 position? With Lambie and Pollard injured? Johan Goosen? Garth April? You need to give Elton some time to develop. Pollard made so many mistakes his first year, but it was all forgiven. I remember his kicking out of hand was woeful. He defence wasn't that good either.
Charl
Guest
Really, Suzie, no need to throw transformation in anytime someone of colour is criticised for playing poorly. Jantjies was not good enough. Morne is over his best, but still reliable. Faf is a find. Very little to feel good about at the moment
Sp, doesn't take away from the fact that Jantjies is shown up to be nothing other than a franchise class player.
Grent Dosa
Roar Rookie
There certainly are positives but I was hoping yesterdays game would give me confidence for this years rugby championship but I must be honest it didn't. I think the boks are going to struggle against the all blacks and wallabies this year, but you not wrong about some of those positives we have to build on. Faf looks like a great prospect and just needs more experience now. I agree with your comments on Steyn his call up was probably a bit of a step backwards, he doesn't offer the full package from flyhalf but he does kick better than Elton. We have some real depth in this position though pollard makes mistakes at times but his potential is easy to see. Lambie is solid but not great and I think Goosen will be selected by the end of the year and he is just an outstanding player. Goosen should start for the boks I think at 15 for now because Willie is playing so badly. Other positives is the talent coming through at centre I still rate Mapoe just needs more time to build a partnership with de Allende. Francois Venter is a great talent coming through as well. Boks will be strong in 2 to 3 years but this year I predict they will struggle
thabokruger
Roar Rookie
I think you are confusing poor form with some sort of transformation issue. Jantjies is not an international flyhalf period.
thabokruger
Roar Rookie
It seems you're saying he had a good game then? I don't think that tackle is excusable - it was one-on-one. The number of players on the field at the time if irrelevant. My overall sentiment is that he performed poorly and avoids contact. Surely not the man you need in the RC. Don't stereotype me as a Morne fan.
Suzy Poison
Guest
No positives then. How about the Boks have finally found a 9 worthy of replacing Fourie Du Preez? I am talking about Faf De Klerk. His partnership with Elton is only going to get better. Elton is still learning but each game he gets better. At thus stage I would suffer thru a worse kicker ( that can be learned ) and still have someone slightly less predictable than Morne Steyn, baring in mind that Lambie and Pollard are injured. Pollard was also allowed a ton of leeway when he played. Missed tackles, missing touch you name it , but Elton is not allowed the same leeway. I reckon Bok supporters are as transformed as they think they are?
Suzy Poison
Guest
Seen Jantjies do that kick too many times for the Lions to called "Lucky" He also missed that tackle when his team was down to 14 men. Who would made that tackle? Maybe your hero " Morne Steyn" ? Please with Lambie and Pollard both injured who else you gonna select?
Mark
Guest
That has to be the worst camera work at a Rugby game I have ever had to endure
thabokruger
Roar Rookie
The rugby championship is going to be a massacre for the boks. Totally inept performance from jantjies in particular. Has he ever actually cleared from his own 22? That tackle he missed for Ireland to score was a blight on an otherwise good defensive effort. His kick of JPP to go over was lucky at best.
Grent Dosa
Roar Rookie
I watched the game at the stadium, quite a disappointing game despite the result. It was a very average display from the boks, kicked a lot of ball away and when we ran we really failed at getting a good number of phases together and penetrating the Irish defence. I don't think Elton can be considered a test level flyhalf, his kicking is just very mediocre especially on exit play. Willie provides no impact and just does his signature hop and step towards the touch line and kills space. Captain Strauss, kolisi, mapoe had poor performances. What did seem to work for the boks though was the set piece I thought all the props had decent games and also the second row players, PSDT and also whiteley are very busy!
I know I have been bemoaning the Boks since Meyer started coaching them, but it is seriously hard to support South African rugby, it is devoid of any quality. I don't know what the answer is but I do know SA supporters should go on strike. We need to switch off our tv's, cancel our subscriptions, stop buying tickets and refrain from buying merchandice. The powers that be may think they run the show, but without support they will very quickly find out without supporters they have nothing. But this rabble can not and should not be supported. The stupid mistakes, penalties and uncohesiveness is simply not acceptable. Hell, these guys get paid ffs
taylorman
Roar Guru
Gosh, Ireland should have won with those stats. Similar to oz second test. ABs had 38% possession so it really is about the quality of your attack.