After a highly debatable CJ Stander red card, Ireland had their work cut out for them if they were to claim their first ever victory over the Springboks in South Africa.
That task was made all the more difficult when Robbie Henshaw was binned and South Africa ran in a controversial score, with Luke Marshall appearing to be impeded by Damien de Allende.
After superb displays from the likes of Jared Payne, who excelled in the fullback role in which he has featured regularly for Ulster, Joe Schmidt's side ultimately hung on for a monumental 26-20 win - a last ditch, four-man tackle on JP Pieterson as he crossed the whitewash ending the game with help from the TMO (ending, too, any involuntary flashbacks to Ryan Crotty's try in 2013).
It mean jubilation for Rory Best and co, and sheer dismay for the 'Boks, who had failed to put away an Irish side which - for a 10-minute spell at least - featured just 13 players, and at most 14 for the bones of an hour.
The reaction from South Africa was one of embarrassment; not at defeat to Ireland, whose spirited display received due acclaim, but at defeat to team who were short players for the majority of the match.
Hats off to Ireland with 14men for 60mins. Lots to think about for the Boks for next week. Let's stay positive for Allister & the team🇿🇦
— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) June 11, 2016
The Irish know how to win rugby games. We all want Allister and this group to succeed.We need to give them a chance to show what they can do
— Brendan Venter (@BrendanVenter) June 11, 2016
Reasons we lost:
1. Couldn't protect our ruck ball
2. Impotent backline
3. Poor defence
4. Scrum was bad
5. Senior players didn't step up— Thala Msutu (@ThalaMsutu77) June 11, 2016
I can accept a losing Bok side, but I can't accept a Bok side that looks like they don't want to be on the field. Terrible attitude today!
— RhymesWithRuck (@jwcoetzee) June 11, 2016
The Irish showing more heart away from home, than the Boks did at home!
— Kobus Wiese (@4KobusWiese) June 11, 2016
That was painful to watch but in fairness ,Ireland deserve to be praised more than were deserve to be criticized. Well done Ireland. .
— Brendan Venter (@BrendanVenter) June 11, 2016
Absolute Kak. French referees are useless.
— Benedict Chanakira (@bchanakira2) June 11, 2016
It's NOT a red... I'm South African! Game spoilt, not intentional, clueless referees without empathy! #SAvIRE
— wadesgotit (@wadesgotit) June 11, 2016
Boks were poor and tactically naive. Rushed and outmuscled. They need a deep look at themselves. #SAvIRE
— Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) June 11, 2016
Probably good thing I had zero signal during that. Dreadful performance from the #Boks but bloody well done Ireland. #SAvIRE
— Jean Smyth (@JeanSmyth) June 11, 2016
Bok defeat to Ireland was worse than Japan, 49-0 in '06 and 53-3 to England. At home and red yellow cards makes #SAvIRE greatest ever shame
— Dale Granger (@DaleGranger) June 11, 2016
Worse still for the South Africans, their under-20s went and lost 19-13 to Argentina in the World Cup just two hours later, marking a distinctly contrasting day for Irish and Springbok fans considering the Ireland 20s astonishing 33-24 victory over the Baby Blacks earlier this afternoon.
After a day of consecutive defeats (and their A side losing to England Saxons), along with a 12 month-period which has brought first senior test defeats to Argentina and Japan, some of them seem to be losing the sheer will to live.
Our rugby is so bad today, I'm sure that if I watch a re-run of the '95 final we'll bloody lose that too.
— RhymesWithRuck (@jwcoetzee) June 11, 2016
In the last 12 months we made history we really don't want! We lost to Argentina, Japan and Ireland for the first time ever. ( Irish in SA)
— Kobus Wiese (@4KobusWiese) June 11, 2016
Blackest day ever for SA national rugby teams: A team lost to England, U20 to Argentina & #Boks to Ireland. #carnagein24hours #adminfail
— Ravi Naidoo (@ravinaidoo) June 11, 2016
@SASportsBlog_ This is a very bad weekend for SARugby. SA A lost, SA lost to Ireland and u/20's lost to Argentina. Thanks @MbalulaFikile
— Jody Waters (@Cutting112233) June 11, 2016
worst weekend in SA rugby history! Saxons win, Ireland win(first on SA soil ) and Argentina u20 win(first ever)! #SSRugby #DissapointedSaffa
— Reghard la Grange (@Grasman09) June 11, 2016
