Not all victories are created equal, and Ireland's latest fits into that category. Ciarán Frawley’s two late drop goals stole victory from the jaws of defeat in Durban, as Ireland and South Africa shared this two-game summer series.
It was brutally physical and extremely dramatic, but Ireland’s second win ever on South African soil brings the fairest overall result, a draw.
A little under 50 weeks since their first game of this long season against Italy last August, Ireland found an energy to wrap up the year on a high.
It was a thrilling first forty minutes that set the platform. Conor Murray’s try and the boot of Jack Crowley gave the visitors a ten point buffer at the interval, and Ireland looked to be cruising.
However, the next thirty was where the tiredness crept in. Error after error, mistake after mistake, and South Africa clawed back the deficit point by point. Ireland needed a hero, or two, and looked to the bench.
The ballsiest call from Farrell and Co saw Ciarán Frawley and Caolin Blade introduced in place of Jack Crowley and Conor Murray. It was a big gamble with big rewards.
Ciarán Frawley’s two long-range drop goals brought Ireland from four behind, to two point victors, and the spoils were shared.
It was a Test series that was questioned ad nauseam, but it was one that Ireland learned lots from, with some big names standing up tallest.
Biggest winners from Ireland's tour of South Africa
Caelan Doris
13 July 2024; Ireland capytain Caelan Doris gives away his boots to supporters after the second test between South Africa and Ireland at Kings Park in Durban, South Africa. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
We all knew Caelan Doris was an elite number eight, but his performances in this series cemented that fact and then some.
After some disappointing performances in 2023’s biggest occasions, Doris showed his best, like he did in Leinster’s Champions Cup final effort.
Now favourite to succeed Peter O'Mahony as the next Ireland captain, the Ballina man laid down a physical marker both weeks, like a real captain does.
Jamie Osborne
6 July 2024; Jamie Osborne of Ireland scores his side's first try during the first test between South Africa and Ireland at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Andy Farrell rolled the dice in selecting the Naas club man, but boy oh boy did it work.
Osborne’s debut and second Test performances were everything we knew the Leinster man had the potential to deliver.
Having been an outsider to many to get minutes, the Kildare man has leapfrogged Jimmy O’Brien and Ciarán Frawley as Ireland’s backup number 15, with his versatility offering his credentials to a 6/2 bench split option also.
Ciarán Frawley
13 July 2024; Ciarán Frawley of Ireland watches his winning drop goal go over the bar in the last seconds of the second test between South Africa and Ireland at Kings Park in Durban, South Africa. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
I mean, what more can you say? After the agony of his Heineken Cup final missed kicks, the Skerries man came up with the goods in Durban.
Can't ask for, or say, much else.
James Ryan
13 July 2024; James Ryan, right, and Bundee Aki of Ireland after the second test between South Africa and Ireland at Kings Park in Durban, South Africa. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
The career of James Ryan has been whirlwind, especially in recent years, but this tour was like a new version of him.
The now 27-year-old lock has lost his starting spot in recent months, but he has reacted perfectly.
His performances in both tests were exactly what was needed, as he was a strong enforcer to compliment Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne.
Craig Casey
6 July 2024; Kwagga Smith of South Africa is tackled by Craig Casey of Ireland during the first test between South Africa and Ireland at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
He might have had his tour cut short, but Craig Casey’s first test performance did far more good than bad.
The Shannon RFC clubman stepped up in a big way in Pretoria with an excellent kicking display, game management and tempo.
He will be fighting it out with Conor Murray, who rolled back the years also; as Ireland’s back-up nine come November.
Verdict
Now as the season finally finishes up, Andy Farrell can be pretty pleased. He has blooded new heroes, and gotten the most out of a mentally exhausted squad.
Ireland leaves South Africa with a famous Test victory and deserved series draw, and no one can complain about that.
