Top-ranked Ireland won the Rugby World Cup’s second clash of the titans by edging No. 2-ranked South Africa 13-8 in a ferocious encounter on Sunday morning.
Right winger Mack Hansen scored Ireland’s try after 33 minutes — the first South Africa conceded in this tournament — and left winger Cheslin Kolbe replied with a try for the Springboks early in the second half of a gripping contest.
Ireland have extended their test win streak to 16 and will likely top Pool B, thus probably avoiding host France in the quarter-finals and setting up a meeting with the three-time champions All Blacks.
South Africa were on top for considerable spells but paid the price for poor goalkicking from flyhalf Manie Libbok and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, who missed a combined four of five and left 11 points in the wind.