Cards, chaos and carnage: How South Africa secured wild win over Ireland
Ireland paid a heavy price for ill-discipline as world champions South Africa ended a 13-year wait for victory in Dublin by battling to a chaotic 24-13 victory.
Ireland’s repeated infringements followed the perceived injustice of Springboks fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu avoiding an early card for a high hit on Tommy O’Brien.
Harry Latham-Coyle22 November 2025 20:26
Malcolm Marx named World Player of the Year
More good news, meanwhile, for Malcolm Marx – the Springboks hooker has won World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year. He beats teammates Ox Nche and Pieter-Steph du Toit, plus France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey, to the award – perhaps not at his best at the start of South Africa’s Test season, Marx has been simply supreme over the last few months.
Harry Latham-Coyle22 November 2025 20:16
FT: Ireland 13-24 South Africa
It’s really hard to know what to make of that for Ireland. In so many ways, they showed that they can still mix it with the best team in the world even when plenty goes against them – but the manner in which their scrum was dismantled, and the way their discipline slipped under that pressure, ultimately proved insurmountable. A defeat by double digits will be disappointing, despite the utter mayhem.
(Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
Harry Latham-Coyle22 November 2025 20:07
Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx is the player of the match
And says to TNT Sports: “It’s always a tough outing against the Irish. We knew it was going to be tough and a grind to the end.
“I think we got some good success at the scrum. They are a quality side, and playing against a quality side like them is always going to be tough. The character that they showed was immense – having 12 guys on the field and still keeping us out just shows that character and how strong the bond they have as a team is.”
Harry Latham-Coyle22 November 2025 20:04
FT: Ireland 13-24 South Africa
My word. A crazy, chaotic, carnage and card-filled contest – but the Springboks win again. There have been few more peculiar Tests than that one. Some effort from Ireland to cling on for so long in the second half as their scrum wilted and a third of their side were shown cards, and it looked like they might just set up a grandstand finish. But it was not to be.
Harry Latham-Coyle22 November 2025 19:56
FULL TIME: Ireland 13-24 South Africa
(REUTERS)
Harry Latham-Coyle22 November 2025 19:53
Ireland 13-24 South Africa, 82 minutes
A free kick at the scrum. Craig Casey taps and ventures down a Dublin alleway best avoided as as a bunch of burly Boks engulf him.
Still Ireland have it – but not for long! Finally, it’s over – the Springboks survive and escape with victory.
Harry Latham-Coyle22 November 2025 19:53
Ireland 13-24 South Africa, 80 minutes
Turned over by Kwagga Smith! But back the other way! One last chance for Ireland, Sam Prendergast hurls a wide pass…knocked on by a South African hand! Deliberate? No! Manie Libbok had two hands up.
Time has expired. Ireland are unbowed, but beaten. They’d love to leave with a try, though, to characterise this backs-against-the-walls effort.
Harry Latham-Coyle22 November 2025 19:51
Ireland 13-24 South Africa, 79 minutes
Still Ireland can’t get over! Still they toil and toil as time ticks away.
Another penalty. But they have to score in the next 60 seconds.
Harry Latham-Coyle22 November 2025 19:49
YELLOW CARD! Grant Williams is sent to the sin bin! Ireland 13-24 South Africa, 79 minutes
Irelnad have to score. Tapped, and away they go, but their forwards meet meaty resistance around the corner. Who can break down the green wall? Another advantage!
Grant Williams is sent to the sin bin for not rolling away.
Harry Latham-Coyle22 November 2025 19:48
