Frawley drop-goal hands Ireland 25-24 win over S Africa

DURBAN, South Africa :Replacement flyhalf Ciaran Frawley kicked a drop-goal after the hooter as Ireland claimed a 25-24 victory over world champions South Africa to square the series 1-1 in a bruising test at King's Park on Saturday.

With time up, Frawley kicked his second drop-goal of the game to hand the tourists their second ever win away in South Africa and complete a famous victory after they had lost the first test 27-20.

Ireland held a deserved 16-6 lead at halftime thanks to the only try of the game from scrumhalf Conor Murray, but faced a resurgent home team in the second period and were forced into numerous errors by Springbok pressure.

South Africa flyhalf Handre Pollard kicked eight penalties as the hosts looked to have wrestled the initiative in the contest, before Frawley’s pressure kick snatched victory for Ireland.

"It was a proper test match that," Ireland captain Caelan Doris said. "We were pleased with how we began, but credit to the Springboks, they showed their class to turn it around and get up by four points.

"It was back and forth after that but I was just elated to see the ball sail through the posts at the end there.

"We had to just keep believing, we knew if we got down there (the Springbok 22) we could score. It is a good feeling to end a long season with a win like that."

The physicality of the contest was brutal at times with Ireland initially winning the battle, before the Springboks roared back in the second half.

LAST-GASP ACTION

Trailing by five points with 10 minutes to play, Frawley kicked the first of his drop-goals to move his side within striking distance, before completing the job in the final play.

Ireland were the better side in the first half and scored a superb try their early