Ireland’s hopes of an historic victory over South Africa in the first test, were dashed due to a combination of a powerful Springbok side, indisipline and the loss of Six Nations player of the tournament, Gordon D’Arcy.

The match started at lightening pace, with an early South Africa try, but Ireland soon settled and both sides exchanged scores throughout the first half, with Brian O’Driscoll setting up a well worked try for Shane Horgan. At half time the scores were level at 11 a piece.

Ireland however suffering with the loss of Gordon D’Arcy due to injury, and despite going 14-11 ahead thanks to a Ronan O’Gara drop goal conceded another try when hooker Shane Byrne gifted South Africa a try from a lineout on the Ireland line. Ireland never really got in the game again and despite another penalty from O’Gara, Ireland eventually went down by 31 points to 17.

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