Ireland replacement flyhalf Ciaran Frawley landed a last-gasp drop goal to beat the Springboks at Kings Park on Saturday, consigning the world champions to a drawn series.
Having taken a 10-point lead into half time after a dominant first half, Ireland were made to fight in the second stanza against a tremendous response from the Springboks, with Frawley, a fourth-quarter replacement for Jack Crowley, emerging as the hero with two drop goals in the final 10 minutes to grab a 25-24 win.
Having lost the series opener in Pretoria last week, the win in Durban saw Ireland avoid dipping into what would have been their first two-game slump since 2021.
Meanwhile, the Springboks surrendered a six-game winning streak, stretching back to the 2023 World Cup, as a poor first half at Kings Park ultimately cost the world champions.
Ireland were the far better team in the first half, showing plenty of intensity, good accuracy and physically dominating a flat Springbok side, one that lacked the energy that had been evident in the Loftus Versfeld Test.
An excellently worked try from Conor Murray and three penalties and a conversion from Crowley gave Ireland a 16-6 lead at the break, with Handre Pollard kicking two penalties to get the Boks on the board.
Needing an almighty response in the second half, the Boks started to get that as they turned to a more direct game plan and forced Ireland to concede multiple penalties, with young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, on early doors for concussed Willie le Roux, sparking the home side into life.
Pollard continued his perfect game off the tee to give the hosts a 24-19 lead.
There was a moment of controversy when James Ryan dangerously cleaned out Malcolm Marx at a breakdown, putting the Bok hooker’s knee ligaments as serious risk, but referee Karl Dickson decided to only yellow card Ireland captain Caelan Doris for his contribution to the situation.
A turning point came after Cian Healy was held up over the tryline, and Frawley nailed his first drop goal from the subsequent 22-metre dropout.
Ireland won a lineout in South African territory in the final minute, after Marco van Staden knocked the ball on near Ireland’s 22. From there, the visitors worked Frawley into space and the playmaker nailed the winning drop-goal, with South African complaints of obstruction cleared by the TMO.
The Boks next face Portugal in Bloemfontein where they are expected to field a second-string squad to test depth before the 2024 Rugby Championship against Australia in Brisbane on 10 August.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
The post Frawley stars as Ireland snatch series draw appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
