Dogged display sees Ireland end South African tour unbeaten

Cheetahs 14-21 Emerging Ireland

Emerging Ireland concluded their South African tour with a 100% record as a dogged defensive display helped the men in green to a 21-14 victory over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Following wins over the Griquas and Pumas, Ireland made it a clean sweep with tries from Nathan Doak, Shane Daly and Jamie Osbourne.

The hosts made the early running, but it was Simon Easterby's team that opened the scoring when Doak burrowed over the line in the 20th-minute.

The Cheetahs upped the pressure and Ireland lost two players to the sinbin.

First Cian Prendergast received a yellow card for a cynical breakdown penalty, while Joe McCarthy followed shortly after due to repeated infringements.

With the Irish defence creaking, the Cheetahs made sure it was level pegging at the interval with a penalty try.

Perhaps against the run of play, and removed from the forward-dominated exchanges, full-back Daly put the visitors back in front with a blistering solo effort.

The third try was the best of the lot as Osborne finished out a flowing move that began with a lineout on halfway to make the scoreline 21-7 in Ireland’s favour.

The Cheetahs upped the pressure, earning a second penalty try and enjoying a numerical advantage yet again as a third Ireland player was sent to the sin bin, but the defence stood firm to hold out for victory.

Cheetahs: C Jasper, D Kasende, R Ebersohn, F Steyn, T Mafura, S Masuku, R Pienaar; S Ferreira, M van der Merwe, M Coetzee, R Bernardo, V Sekekete (C), J Rudolph, F Olivier, O Mohoje.

Replacements: L van der Westhuizen, C Dawson, H van Wyk, M Zito, S Qomo, R Kruger, R Fortuin, E Brandt.

Ireland: Shane Daly (Munster); Calvin Nash (Munster), Jamie Osbourne (Leinster), Stewart Moore (Ulster), Robert