South Africa have won the opening rugby match of their test series against Ireland this afternoon, coming out on top on a 27-20 scoreline in Pretoria.
It was a nightmare start for Ireland in the game, with South Africa crossing for the first try of the contest within the first three minutes. The sequence of play also featured some questionable defending from the tourists.
WHAT A START! ⚡
Kurt-Lee Arendse lands the opening try for South Africa already! 👏 pic.twitter.com/2Qe1QgvBBi— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 6, 2024
Ireland did not play particularly well in the opening half, but they managed to stay in the game. A couple of kickable penalties aside, they did not offer many opportunities to the Springboks.
Andy Farrell's side would get right back into the match by scoring a try of their own a few minutes before the interval, with debutant Jamie Osborne finishing off a spectacular team move.
INCREDIBLE TRY! 😯
Jamie Osborne goes over after an incredible offload from James Lowe! 💥 pic.twitter.com/HvrHfllNYr— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 6, 2024
The start of the second half featured some sloppy rugby from both sides, although the game would burst into life just before the hour mark.
James Lowe looked as though he had scored a stunning try to get Ireland level, although it would be ruled out due to an apparent infringement from Ronan Kelleher in the ruck.
Can't believe they took this one off James Lowe, sickener! #RSAvIRE pic.twitter.com/qMmLTO71TI
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 6, 2024
Another marginal call that went against Ireland a few minutes later all but ended the game as a contest.
Cheslin Kolbe would score South Africa's second try of the match, and after a lengthy TMO check to see if the ball had gone into touch during the buildup, it was ultimately given.
ON A PLATE FOR CHESLIN KOLBE 🍽️
The Springboks pounce on an Ireland error to land the try which could well seal the game! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TUO5cklCjf— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 6, 2024
That ultimately proved to be the winning of the game for the Springboks, despite the teams trading a number of tries during the closing moments of the game.
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Rugby: Best Questions Officials' Handling Of Disallowed Lowe Try
This was a mixed performance from Ireland, although the result certainly could have been a different one had a couple of things went their way over the course of the game.
The disallowed James Lowe was particularly controversial. Referee Luke Pearce had a perfect view of the incident and saw no issue at the time, with TMO calling him back just as Jack Crowley was lining up his conversion.
The decision that Ronan Kelleher played the rugby ball on the ground seemed a bit harsh, especially when you consider that he may have been subjected to a neck roll from Handre Pollard. Had this try stood, Ireland would have been in an excellent to go and win the match.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Rory Best admitted that he was not a fan of the way the officials handled this particular incident.
It was massive. Ireland had been weathering the storm and hanging then, but for that to come back.
I'm a big believer with the TMO, Luke Pearce is right in front of that.
Of course we're biased and Ireland fans, but if [Pearce] doesn't see that in real time? I think you could go to any breakdown at any given point and you could pick holes and say 'that was an infringement'.
Let Luke Pearce do his job.
He might well have a point.
His fellow pundit Shane Horgan also shared a similar opinion:
How intentional is that as well? He's falling down and it comes back. Is it a clear and obvious decision to overturn? I'm not sure if it is.
We have seen that terminology used lately, and I think it was used in the right way later on. I do think Ireland are slightly hard done by.
It's a completely different game if that try is scored.
Andy Farrell will be hoping that his side get a bigger rub of the green next time out.
Ireland will now be aiming to level the series next weekend, where the move away from altitude and towards Durban may well improve their prospects of securing the victory.
It will be a sizeable task.
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