Ireland demolish South Africa to reach Sevens World Cup semi-final

Ireland 24-14 South Africa

Ireland booked a place in the Rugby World Cup Sevens semi-finals with a convincing 24-14 over hosts South Africa in Cape Town.

After beating the Springboks for the first time ever on the series tour earlier this year, the underdogs were the better side throughout, winning four tries to two to set up a semi-final date with New Zealand tomorrow morning (11.35am, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).

Coming into the game on the back of a facile 24-0 win over Portugal and an impressive victory over 2013 and 2018 finalists England, James Topping's team were quietly confident of an upset and they took the game to the hosts from the first whistle.

Mark Roche, having overcooked the kick-off, went over for the first try of the game after a fine flowing move, darting over from close range, before adding the extras to make it 7-0.

HT Ireland 7-7 South Africa - Mark Roche crosses for Ireland but a sloppy lineout gifts South Africa a try just before the break in the Rugby World Cup Sevens quarter-final in Cape Town #RTErugby pic.twitter.com/Jq6pslsw8v

A minute later and the visitors thought the lead was doubled after pouncing on a South African mistake.

Andrew Smith challenged the retreating defender before touching down on the bouncing ball, but after video consultation, the Irishman was adjudged to have fouled his opponent in contesting for the scrappy ball.

It was nervy stuff from South Africa and they butchered a simple overlap to get off the mark, flinging the ball out of play with the line at their mercy.

The Irish defence was holding firm and in control, albeit they were aided by some poor South African execution.

They appeared to be taking that lead to the break, but in the final play of the half, a lineout