That was arguably a better performance that last week in the first half. But the second half was all to do with fatigue. Be it the altitude, the long season, the emotion of last week - Ireland struggled. It's not a bad showing, it's solely down to fatigue. There were late missed tackles that were just down to tiredness. That's it.
15. Jared Payne 8
He just oozes class from fullback. So strong when put under pressure from a catch to keep the ball. His support for Trimble ahead of Toner's try was really good too.
14. Andrew Trimble 8.5
Trimble deserves so much credit for his flick back to Payne ahead of Toner's try, and to pick himself up and secure the ruck when Payne was stopped on the line. Huge in defense throughout, a fantastic game. Ruined it a bit when he let de Allende through for the game winning try.
13. Robbie Henshaw 5.5
Not Henshaw's best game. He never meshed with Olding, and Ireland didn't really go wide through the centres at all. He only had two carries, and that tells you everything. Costly crossing late on showed how he and Olding didn't work.
12. Stuart Olding 6
Ireland missed the defensive security of Luke Marshall in this game. A few times Olding was pushed too easily to the ground to force someone else to cover him.
11. Craig Gilroy 7.5
Had a few runs making the Boks miss tackles, and looked more secure in defense than we've ever seen him. Working with Joe and Farrell has done wonders for him.
10. Paddy Jackson 8
Another assured performance from Jackson. He will provide Sexton with some serious competition when the two of them were fit. Set the tone after a dodgy Irish start with a wonderful rip turnover on Kolisi. Overpowered for Combrinck's try, and should have kicked it out in the stands right before it. But his defense for a small guy is massive. Still lots of positives.
9. Conor Murray 7
Not his best game, and missing the tackle on de Allende for the last try was criminal. Granted it was tiredness, but it grates.
1. Jack McGrath 8.5
Showed the world how bad Frans Malherbe is at the scrum. Ireland had some dominance at scrumtime, and McGrath was the reason why.
2. Rory Best 8
He just gets better and better as he grows comfortable with the captaincy. Lead from the front in the scrum and at the breakdown.
3. Tadhg Furlong 8.5
A huge ask on his first test start to deal with one of the best scrummaging looseheads in the world, and Ireland dismantled them in the scrum.
4. Devin Toner 8
A big performance. I thought he was better than he was last week. Toner was everywhere, working hard.
5. Quinn Roux 7.5
Roux made a difference in the scrum. Ireland were secure, and that's what Joe wanted him there for.
6. Iain Henderson 7
Strangely subdued with ball in hand, but tackled his heart out. I think this proves that Henderson is more of a lock, and should put that to bed.
7. Rhys Ruddock 8.5
Ruddock's footwork going into tackles forced some missed tackles on South Africa. His breakdown work was fantastic. His best performance in green.
8. Jamie Heaslip 8
A quietly impressive game again. I looked out for him more than I usually do, and he was first to nearly every ruck securing Irish ball, as well as turning it over. Huge workrate in the high altitude. Very intelligent work for his try.
Replacements
16. Richardt Strauss n/a
Not on long enough
17. Dave Kilcoyne 5
Got away with a few things at the scrum, and McGrath leaving meant that Ireland forfeited the scrum dominance.
18. Finlay Bealham 6
Decent showing. Not in the same league as Furlong today, but wasn't the issue.
19. Donnacha Ryan 6.5
A great showing of workrate, unfortunate it was for nought.
20. Sean Reidy n/a
Only had a brief cameo when Ruddock needed some patchwork. Not on long enough.
21. Kieran Marmion 5
22. Ian Madigan 5.5
Gave away the final penalty with his only notable contribution. Admitedly a really harsh call, he can't roll away on that.
