Ireland moved to the brink of the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals by beating reigning champions South Africa 13-8 in a low-scoring, but thoroughly absorbing match at the Stade de France on Saturday.
The world’s No. 1-ranked team showed they have what it takes to win the World Cup for the first time as they produced a statement win.
Ireland absorbed near-constant pressure from the physically imposing South Africans and took their chances when they got them, while Springboks flyhalf Manie Libbok spurned valuable kicking points.
Photo: Reuters
England had earlier routed Chile 71-0 in Lille to all but guarantee their spot in the quarter-finals, but all eyes were on Paris and the clash of the world’s two top teams produced a fascinating contest.
Ireland found the early going tough and Libbok’s penalty put South Africa ahead in the first half, before Mack Hansen found space on the right wing to collect James Lowe’s long pass and touch down to give Irealand the lead. Cheslin Kolbe found ample space to score for South Africa, but Libbok’s kicking woes from earlier in the tournament returned and he failed with the conversion.
Johnny Sexton’s penalty put Ireland ahead and in a heart-stopping finish, Ireland’s defense were pushed to near breaking point before Jack Crowley slotted home a penalty to send the majority of the crowd into raptures.
Photo: AFP
“It’s wonderful to win, but there was not much in it between the two sides,” Ireland coach Andy Farrell said. “We will know what that feels like further down the line, to learn those lessons with a win. When you love defending as much as we did in that game, that stands us in good stead.”
“We will need to be better as the competition goes on. We’ve got very good at not getting too emotional and staying on task,” he added.
Meanwhile, Henry Arundell became just the fourth player to score five tries in a World Cup game as England outclassed Chile.
The 20-year-old’s contributions matched the most scored by an England men’s player in a Test and helped move the 2003 champions clear at the top of Pool D.
A victory over Samoa on Oct. 7 would secure their spot in the knock-out phase.
“I can’t believe it, it’s a bit surreal. I finished the game and thought: ‘How did that happen?’” Arundell said.
“The future can be whatever we want it to be,” he added.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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