South Africa end 13-year wait for victory over Ireland in Dublin

Ireland paid a heavy price for ill-discipline as world champions South Africa ended a 13-year wait for victory in Dublin by battling to a chaotic 24-13 victory.

Andy Farrell’s men lost James Ryan to a 20-minute red card during a remarkable first half in which team-mates Sam Prendergast, Jack Crowley and Andrew Porter were sent to the sin bin.

Ireland’s repeated infringements followed the perceived injustice of Springboks fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu avoiding an early card for a high hit on Tommy O’Brien.

With the hosts down to 13 men, hooker Dan Sheehan crossed in response to scores from Damian Willemse and Cobus Reinach, before a penalty try left the visitors 19-7 ahead at the break.

Depleted Ireland outscored their opponents in a spirited second half thanks to a pair of Prendergast penalties – either side of a score from Feinberg-Mngomezulu – but were ultimately well beaten.

Paddy McCarthy became the fourth Irishman to be shown a yellow card as South Africa avenged Aviva Stadium defeats in 2014, 2017 and 2022.

Two years out from the next World Cup, Ireland boss Farrell said taking on rugby’s top-ranked nation would be a “litmus test” of his side’s current standing.

The fired-up hosts began on the front foot but fell behind inside four minutes when Willemse dived over in the left corner to cap a devastating attack.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu was off target with the touchline conversion and then fortunate to escape punishment after sparking a mass brawl with his crude challenge on O’Brien.

Ireland suffered further frustration at the midway point of a ferocious first half.

After Prendergast struck the left post with a penalty, James Lowe caught the rebound, culminating in Tadhg Beirne bulldozing over.

Referee Matthew