Four-time World Champions South Africa began their new season with a convincing 27-20 victory over Ireland at Loftus Versfeld this past weekend, drawing first blood in the two-match Test series.
The match, filled with drama, saw the home side take a 13-8 lead at the interval, with Kurt-Lee Arendse scoring an early try to settle the nerves. The Boks dominated the next 30 minutes, before weathering a late first-half resurgence from the Owen Farrell-coached side.
The second half belonged to the visitors, but the experience of eight World Cup starters in the Boks’ lineup prevailed, as they repelled dangerous attacks. Handre Pollard kept the scoreboard ticking with two penalty goals and two conversions, despite tries from Jamie Osborne, Conor Murray, and Ryan Baird.
The two teams will meet again in Durban this coming weekend.
The victory was a delight to the more than 55,000-strong crowd at Loftus Versfeld and a promising start to the season for the Boks.
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