With the last kick of the game Ciarán Frawley slotted a 40 metre drop goal to secure Ireland only their second ever victory over the Springboks in South Africa in what was one of the most dramatic match endings in Irish rugby history.
It was South Africa's first loss since winning the World Cup last year and it made their record in their last five matches against Ireland 1 victory and 4 losses.
Ireland were much better in Durban than they were a week before in the first test when South Africa were the resounding victors. Ireland were the worthy winners this time around but the victory was not without its own controversies.
The drop goal was actually taken for a TMO review by referee Karl Dickson as the Springboks players had argued that winger Cheslin Kolbe was obstructed en route to attempting to block Frawley's kick.
However after a short review there seemed to be no obvious obstruction and the match was ended with Ireland as the winners.
Fans online went into some further digging into the incident and were not impressed with Kolbe's antics. To some the winger appeared to have taken a dive as he ran around Caelan Doris and it's fair to say it didn't go down well with Irish fans.
Looked like Kolbe did a dive but check the player before the guy he fell in front of. Eyes following Kolbe and extends arm. What you think? #RSAvIRE pic.twitter.com/YVmuTWwBOO
— Paul Ian Masson (@paulianmasson) July 13, 2024
Pathetic from Kolbe - clearly trying to buy a penalty. Pathetic from the rest of the SA team too for trying to appeal.
Incredible display from Frawley - really dragged Ireland back into it. Could be the performance that really sees him start to kick on at this level#RSAvsIRE
— Adam Moursy (@adammoursy) July 13, 2024
Kolbe should be embarrassed going for that obstruction claim. I'm disappointed #RSAvIRE
— Gonzalo (@LongLiveGonzalo) July 13, 2024
Cheslin Kolbe in that last play… #RSAvsIRE pic.twitter.com/woX9rc6hmX
— Jac Roberts (@Jac_Roberts123) July 13, 2024
The springboks protested the decision to referee Karl Dickson with on-field captain Peter-Steph du Toit trying to get into Dickson's ear as the decision was being made. However the former World Player of the Year was stopped in his tracks by Stuart McClockey who helped prevent any more debating from happening.
Underrated moment lost in all of the madness of the Frawley dropgoal: Stuart McCloskey interrupting PSTD as he tried to convince Karl Dickson that obstruction had occurred. pic.twitter.com/GgbtF9Yb6m
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 13, 2024
The rivalry between Ireland and the Springboks seems to grow and grow with every meeting and with the series at 1 win apiece fans wish there was a third test to settle the score.
