Full player ratings as Ireland lose at home to the Springboks
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Ratings.
We knew Ireland vs South Africa was going to be one hell of a test match – but we were not prepared for the absolute madness we witnessed at the Aviva Stadium.
5 yellow cards for Ireland, with one of them upgraded to a 20-minute red, in one of the most chaotic games of rugby we’ve ever witnessed.
At one stage, Ireland were down to 12 men, and while they held on and did their best to get into the game, the Springboks were just too good at scrum time, and that ultimately was the game.
Anyway, here are your full player ratings.
Ireland Ratings (v South Africa):
15. Mack Hansen – 7
The Connacht man is like a bull terrier scrapping for every bit he can get, no matter what.
14. Tommy O’Brien – 4
Today will be a massive learning curve for the Leinster winger, who didn’t look up to the level.
13. Garry Ringrose – 6
Some crunching tackles.
12. Bundee Aki – 6
Definitely would have expected to make more of an impact, but he was kept quiet. Ended up scrummaging after James Ryan’s card.
11. James Lowe – 7
His best performance for Ireland in quite some time, but still not at his best.
10. Sam Prendergast – 6
Yellow-carded in the first half. Looked like a man feeling the pressure out there.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 8
Ireland’s best player. Worked his socks off to keep Ireland in the game.
1. Andrew Porter – 3
Yellow-carded, destroyed in the scrum and not much better in the loose.
2. Dan Sheehan – 5
Still having problems in the lineout. Did well for his try.
3. Tadhg Furlong – 5
Gave it his all in the loose, but was given a lesson at set-piece.
4: James Ryan – 2
Red-carded for a silly and needless clear-out that cost Ireland a try.
5: Tadhg Beirne – 7
Even when things aren’t going your way, you can always rely on Tadhg Beirne.
6. Ryan Baird – 8
Brilliant in the lineout and led Ireland’s spirited second-half fightback.
7. Josh van der Flier – 7
Made some important carries and tried his best to keep the Boks at bay.
8. Caelan Doris – 7
An impressive defensive display from the skipper, but he didn’t offer much going forward.
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher – 5
17. Paddy McCarthy – 8
18. Finlay Bealham – 6
19. Cian Prendergast – 7
20. Jack Conan – 6
21. Craig Casey – 6
22. Jack Crowley – 7
23. Tom Farrell – 6
