By the final whistle at the Aviva, the only aspect of the game which was close between Ireland and South Africa was the colour of their jerseys.
The South African media have reacted with dismay towards what was a record scoreline for Ireland against the Springboks.
In his player ratings for the game, the highest rating given by Sport24.co.za chief writer Rob Howing was a six for openside Pieter-Steph du Toit.
He also called it the Springboks' worse ever result against Ireland.
In what amounted to easily their worst result ever against Ireland, they were thoroughly outwitted, out-skilled and outmuscled en route to a 38-3 and four-tries-to-nil setback at Aviva Stadium that gets their four-Test tour of the “north” off to the worst possible start.
Mike Greenway, writing for the Independent Online, called Ireland "ruthlessly efficient".
The strengths of the home team that were hyped all week were vividly displayed from start to finish – superior game management by their playmakers and set-piece dominance meant there was always going to be one victor.
The heavy underfoot northern hemisphere conditions indeed suited the polished kicking game of their experienced halfback pairing of Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton, while asking questions of Ross Cronjé and Elton Jantjies.
It had been said by all and sundry that Murray and Sexton would put the Boks under pressure with their generalship, and it came to pass. So, too, did the envisaged set scrum ascendancy of the home side.
SuperSport's Brendan Nel said that South Africa were "outplayed in every aspect of the game" by a "passionate and controlled" Irish side. He believes the defeat is equally as bruising as September's 57-0 loss to the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship.
The loss was on par with the 57-0 defeat against the All Blacks just six weeks back and raised massive questions about the coaching team at the start of a long tour that could well become a nightmare if any of these performances are repeated in the next three weeks to come.
There is no sugar coating it. It was one of the poorest Springbok performances of all time, and one which will reverberate around the world, as the Boks will need to do some massive soul-searching this coming week as they head to Paris for a tough gig next weekend against France.
Nel also congratulated the "Irish Barbarians" on their win.
This Irish Barbarians (with all their overseas project players) deserve their win. Well played.
— Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) November 11, 2017
And again at the chance of being taken out of context. Project players is a bad concept. When the haves can target with money and build a team that way it says a lot. 7 project players under Schmidt.
— Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) November 12, 2017
Never suggested that was the reason for Irelands win and never will. As with France targeting Fijians. I dont like the concept of project players
— Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) November 12, 2017
So for those who want to take it out of context and say sour grapes you are missing the point. Have raised this several times before. Have written columns on it. If thats your chosen way of responding on an issue dont expect a reply.
— Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) November 12, 2017
Nel was not the only member of the South African media to question Ireland's use of players born abroad.
Objections to Ireland using project players such as CJ Stander and Bundee Aki is understandable. However, Mark Keohane's criticism of Joey Carbery lining out for Ireland is less so.
Though Carbery was born in New Zealand, he has an Irish mother and moved to Ireland when he was 11. The South African player to whom he refers is Rob Herring. The Ulster hooker qualifies to play for Ireland through an Irish grandparent.
SA born player scores the try and NZ born player kicks the conversion ... Ireland rugby on the rise!
— Mark Keohane (@mark_keohane) November 11, 2017
Some former South African internationals have also reacted with concern towards the result.
Didn't have words last night to describe the Boks performance! We looked like Deers or Boks in the headlights ! Absolutely atrocious! Never ever looked comfortable with ball in hand and our defense was in 6s and 7 s !
— Rob Louw (@roblouw6) November 12, 2017
We are all disappointed in the Boks as they represent all of us and we are a Nation of winners. Biggest problem is they are being let down by their leader corps - on and off the field. You are only as good as your last game ... Doc Craven
— Schalk Burger (@skalabrak) November 12, 2017
Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
