Ciarán Frawley was the hero as Ireland took a dramatic one-point victory over South Africa in Durban on Saturday evening.
Having come out second best last week in Pretoria, Andy Farrell's Ireland were hoping to turn the tables in this week's second test.
An electric first-half performance had them ahead by a remarkable ten points over the world champions but things were to change dramatically after the break.
Captain Caelan Doris was sin-binned for the visitors, as a period of dominance for South Africa saw them claw ahead. Handre Pollard was immaculate from the tee, and the mid point of the second half was tit-for-tat between the Springbok and his Irish counterpart Jack Crowley.
It was another kicker who was to have the decisive say in the last ten minutes.
Leinster's Ciarán Frawley was introduced off the bench and, with Ireland five points down, his drop goal from just inside the South African half reduced the arrears entering the final stages.
WOW WHAT A KICK!🤯
Ciaran Frawley with a BEAUTY to keep Ireland's comeback hopes alive! 👏 pic.twitter.com/uybphNmo7S— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 13, 2024
Ireland would win in remarkable circumstances late on with a second drop-goal from Frawley - for the second time, from less than ten metres inside the South African half.
CIARAN FRAWLEY WITH A LAST-GASP WINNER 😯
Ireland have BEATEN the world champions South Africa 🤩🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/ZIQZWvv5T0— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 13, 2024
It was a befitting finish for an epic game of test rugby that had a little bit of everything.
For many of the Irish players, this season has been close to 365 days long, making their efforts in South Africa all the more impressive.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his beauty of a drop goal (which one? - you might ask), Ciarán Frawley said he was merely looking forward to enjoying a well-earned celebratory pint.
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Ciarán Frawley seals memorable win with last-gasp drop goal
Springbok legend Bryan Habana interviewed Frawley shortly after the final whistle in Durban, and the Leinster man was almost lost for words after producing one of the biggest moments in recent Irish rugby history.
I actually don't know [what's going through his mind], to be honest! It's mental.
The place is like a fortress, it was so loud. Look, the game was going back and forth, they got momentum there for most of the second-half, we got the yellow card.
The forwards dug in deep, we managed to get in deep and get the final points. Look, I'm delighted.
"It's mental, I am DELIGHTED!" 🥲
Ireland's hero Ciaran Frawley reflects on his dramatic late dropkick to secure the win over South Africa 👇 pic.twitter.com/0sGX4qjg1e— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 13, 2024
Habana then asked Ciarán Frawley whether he planned to preserve the boot with which he struck the match-winning score or if a Daniel Ricciardo-esque "shoey" was in order at the after party this evening.
Frawley's answer perfectly summed up the exhausting exhilaration of Saturday's win.
Ah, I don't know, I'm just gonna have a pint now and enjoy that!
I think it's been 54, 55 weeks on the bounce. It's been a long old season.
We'll dust ourselves off in five weeks but we'll look to come back even better because the end of the season with our clubs wasn't what we wanted.
A lot of learnings from this series and this game. We go again.
All Irish rugby fans will no doubt unite in wishing Ciarán Frawley and the team a very happy pint indeed this evening. What a day in Durban.
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