Ireland ended their season on a monumental high on Saturday, with a brilliant victory over South Africa in Durban.
This newfound rivalry has produced some classic encounters over the past 24 months, and this was no different in the final game of a gruelling year for both sides.
Ireland had the better of the first half, before the home side clicked into gear and found themselves in the lead entering the final ten minutes.
Two outrageous drop goals from substitute Ciarán Frawley were ultimately the difference, as the young fly-half put the trauma of the Champions Cup final behind him in simply outstanding fashion.
79.59 on the clock. Ciaran Frawley winds up for his second drop goal of the game.
WHAT
A
KICK!!! pic.twitter.com/hFFDOwaMkJ— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 13, 2024
The reaction from the wider rugby world has been one of awe, as the world champions were vanquished by the back-to-back Six Nations champions in a classic at King's Park. The biggest tragedy of the day is that there is not a third test to look forward to next week.
Even one of Irish rugby's biggest antagonists, writer Stephen Jones, could not begrudge Andy Farrell's side their epic victory on Saturday.
READ HERE: "I'm Just Gonna Have A Pint!" - Frawley Ecstatic After Drop Goal Winner
Stephen Jones and Rassie Erasmus praise Irish performance in Durban
It's fair to say that Stephen Jones has earned himself a name in Irish rugby spheres as something of a harsh critic in recent years.
The Sunday Times writer has just this year raised issue with Leinster playing in Croke Park, called out perceived "arrogance" among the group of national team players, downplayed the brilliance of Andy Farrell's side, and left some of Ireland's best players out of a prospective Lions XV.
All of which will make his hugely complimentary reaction to Saturday's victory all the more surprising.
Absolutely magnificent result by Ireland …had their chances and took them. No doubt Boks will blame ref. Ireland don’t overrate themselves. They get the job done.
— Stephen Jones (@stephenjones9) July 13, 2024
Jones would then add to his comments by poking the South African bear - suggesting that Ireland, along with French club side Toulouse, were the best sides in the world.
Stade Toulousain v Ireland. World’s best teams.
— Stephen Jones (@stephenjones9) July 13, 2024
We'll be honest, we didn't see this coming, even after such an epic performance from Ireland in victory over South Africa.
It was a mark of how well Ireland played that another pantomime villain, South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus, was effusive in his praise of the visitors post-match on Saturday.
Addressing the media alongside captain Siya Kolisi, Erasmus said:
Between them and us it's always two or three points and a very tight game.
They definitely were in the mood of 'this is the last game of our season, after this we've got five weeks' break.' The way they came out firing, we expected that.
But they really, really were good in the first half. At the end, it was a drop goal well executed and we couldn't stop that.
We can sit here with a sad face and think of excuses, but the best team won on the day. We’re really disappointed and the fans will be disappointed.
But this was like the past four games we have played against them – all the margins have been less than one score – but main concern was that first half.
We fought back from a long way at halftime and converted when we had to but in that last minute, they were better than us.
A special, special day in Durban.
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