Ireland couldn't quite get over the line in terms of pulling off their first ever series victory in South Africa, but after three pulsating tests Joe Schmidt will certainly take away more positives than negatives as the northern hemisphere's season draws to a close.
In the end it was a moment of magic from Elton Jantjies and JP Pieterson which separated the sides, with Ireland's scrum looking second best throughout - even with the introduction of Tadgh Furlong. Still, the centre partnership of Olding and Marshall impressed and - despite his weakest performance of three - we now know Paddy Jackson to be a serious entity in international rugby.
Here's how the players performed:
Tiernan O'Halloran: 6.5
Certainly didn't look out of place as an international fullback in the first half. Caught out for South Africa's opening try? Perhaps, but Lord knows where his head was at after it collided with the turf moments before following a controversial aerial challenge from Willie Le Roux.
Andrew Trimble: 6
He might not have the pace of old but ran hard and picked some solid lines, and was unlucky to be denied by Jackson's whistles. Arguments that he was 'caught out' for Pieterson's try seemed a tad harsh; normal for a winger not to be hugging the wing with play initally quite narrow - he was in position to defend the line. Just a pinpoint kick, in my view.
Luke Marshall: 7.5
Ireland's try scorer took South Africa by storm this summer. Could have added a wonder try to his burrowing score after a superb diagonal incision, but a rotten pass to the open Keith Earls saw the move break down. Pass aside, another more-than-assured display.
Stuart Olding: 7
Could be a long-reigning inside centre for Ireland. Highlight of a concrete first half was a beautiful chip-and-chase. Carried massive ball towards the second half, consistently requiring two or three tacklers to take him to the deck. Offered Ireland go-forward ball when they needed it most.
Keith Earls: 6
Added little in attack after being moved to fullback in O'Halloran's absence, with Healy entering the fray on the wing. Another quiet afternoon, but he's hardly in the side to dominate proceedings. Ball rarely reached him in optimal territory.
Paddy Jackson: 6.5
His weakest offering of the three, but his boot ultimately kept Ireland in the game despite not being as consistent as previous two weekends. Composure has improved tenfold, but interceptions - regardless of how spectacular that Faf de Klerk catch was - remain an issue. Great series overall, considering fears going into it.
Conor Murray: 6
Huge defensively in first half, winning a crucial turnover. More cumbersome and perhaps tired in the second. After a somewhat indifferent 18 months, back to his best in green during first two tests, but conceded a penalty late on today which cost his side. Being caught by Le Roux as he prepared to throw a pass summed up his evening with ball in hand.
Jack McGrath: 7.5
Could stake a claim to be Ireland's player of the season. Conceded one ill-timed penalty at the scrum which afforded Jantjies a pop at goal, but his ball-carrying (just watch him in the lead-up to Marshall's try) was again exceptional. Intelligence at the maul a sight to behold, too, as he marauded around the sides when Ireland chose not to engage.
Rory Best: 6
A lot of chatter that he should have been in Jackson's ear more after Le Roux's challenge on O'Halloran. Couple of handling errors early doors, but other than that a solid display both in possession and defensively. Not his most inspirational performance in green - no turnovers to speak of - and scrum was decimated on occasion. But after two previous weeks of leading from the front at the age of 33, was always likely to be playing at max 75-80%.
Mike Ross: 5
See above, minus the possession. Withdrawn after 50 minutes. Didn't receive much help in the scrum, in fairness.
Iain Henderson: 7.5
A freak athlete. Blew South African tacklers away at will in the first half. Made one monstrous turnover, harshly penalised while attempting another. Gassed after an hour, but Lions selectors will certainly face a dilemma at second row.
Devin Toner: 7
Strangely subdued during opposition lineouts, with Murphy challenging for a couple in his stead. Made a huge tackle that lead to an Irish turnover on their own 22 around the 50-minute mark. Found himself at awkward angles in the scrum, which seemed fundamentally unsound today. Again ball-carrying was a factor, which we never thought we'd be able to say three years ago.
CJ Stander: 7
Not one of his superhuman ball-carrying displays (though still made plenty of effective carries), but excellent on the ground and had a number of South Africans looking on whistfully judging by our mention column on Twitter. Again, seemed to be harshly penalised by Jackson as the second man following a McGrath tackle.
Jordi Murphy: 7.5
Looked fresh after missing last week, and provided explosiveness where others waned. Essentially produced a near-carbon copy of his exceptional display in Cape Town. Huge turnover as clock ticked towards 80.
Jamie Heaslip: 6
Like Best, no stand-out moments to note. Impressive defensively but probably needed more as Ireland attempted to puncture the South African rearguard. Again fatigue likely a factor.
Replacements
Sean Cronin: 7.5
Pulled a Sean Cronin.
Tadhg Furlong: 5.5
Carried reasonably well but anihilated by Kischoff in the scrum, which failed to improve with his introduction.
Ultan Dillane: 6
Strange that it took so long to introduce the Tralee man. A lot of typical 'bosh ball' but 'Boks saw him coming more so than in the first test.
Rhys Ruddock: 5
Might be a reflexively cruel 5 but conceded a God-awful penalty in the South Africa 22 at an absolutely crucial juncture. Only had 10 minutes or so to make an impact, so didn't really have a chance to make amends.
Eoin Reddan: 6.5
Improved the side. More energetic in his introduction than a lagging Murray, naturally. A fine servant to Ireland.
Ian Madigan: 5.5
Seemed desperate to get involved but only had eight minutes.
Matt Healy: 5.5
Surely has an international future given his incredible season with Connacht, but saw little of his scintillating footwork or flat-out gas in his 40-minute display today, despite his efforts. Like Earls, did little wrong but ineffectual on front foot.
