Super-sub Ciaran Frawley landed a last second drop-goal to write his name into Ireland legend as Andy Farrell’s side clinched a dramatic victory over South Africa in Durban last night to level the series 1-1.
The back-to-back world champions led 24-22 with eight penalties from Handre Pollard when flyhalf Frawley, whose first dropped goal brought Ireland to within three points, struck a final kick from 40m to spark wild celebrations and send the Springboks crashing to their first defeat at Kings Park since 2016.
Frawley, above, said: “It’s mental. This place is a fortress and it’s so loud. The game was back and forth but the boys dug in deep. We were in our own half and managed to get up, we’re delighted.
“We speak about it amongst ourselves on the bench but the lads who came on had a real impact. There was a real positive vibe. The subs made an impact and we’re delighted with the win. It’s 55 weeks on the bounce – a long old season. We’ll dust ourselves off and look to come back even better. A lot of learnings from this game and series. I’m going to go and have a pint now and enjoy that.”
Ireland skipper Caelan Doris said: “There was still time, there was two points in it and we believed we could score. It’s a good feeling, finishing a long season with a win like that, right down to the wire and coming out the right side. It’s been a long season, we knew what an unbelievable test it was coming over here at the end of the season, playing against the double world champions. We knew it would be a massive test, we’re definitely happy to finish it on a high.”
Ireland try scorer Conor Murray said: “It’s incredible. Last week hurt, it was a tough defeat and to turn up this week, we knew we were getting a break at the end of the week and the boys turned up and committed to this week.
“Just to come here in the World Champions backyard and we knew it would be tough. It was last week and it was again today.
“South Africa don’t lose easy and they find a way. It’s so frustrating at times to play against. We believed in ourselves, coming into South Africa’s backyard is always going to be a big challenge and I think we can be proud.”
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi speaking on Sky Sports: “In the first half the intensity and the physicality they [Ireland] were in charge of that definitely and we were just playing catch-up.
“We weren’t as intense as we were last week and they were dominating us and that was the big change from last week.”
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