Ireland reaction (Aki, captain Sexton, head coach Farrell)

ON-FIELD REACTION

Bundee Aki, Mastercard Player of the Match and centre

On the crowd:

"I am lost for words, these Irish fans are incredible. I have never witnessed anything like this, the travel crowd is completely a joke. It's only going to get bigger and crazier. South Africa are an outstanding team, they are world champions for a reason. They gave it to us from beginning to end. Whatever happens, we will see them again."

On the all-round performance:

"As a group and team we knew coming into this game we had to be better in all areas of our game. They put us under an immense amount of pressure, the belief we have in the group is outstanding."

Johnny Sexton, captain and fly-half

On the atmosphere:

"It's a huge day for Ireland. This crowd is incredible, how many people turned up today, I don't know how we do it time after time. We didn't want to let them down.

"It was a real arm-wrestle to dog it out with a team like that. It is a testament to the team and staff."

On watching from the bench:

"Not good, I was struggling in the latter end of the game. It was a different pace [to the other pool matches].

"We have a week off now and then a big game against Scotland."

Andy Farrell, head coach

On the win:

"Unbelievably proud and I am sure the South Africa coaches are proud too. It was some battle, a tale of two halves, I thought we dominated field position in the first and they did in the second. At times we were hanging on in there."

On the defence:

"Simon Easterby [defence coach] has them whipped up into a frenzy. When a side is in a groove like that it says everything about their attitude."

On if the side now dare to believe they can win Rugby World Cup 2023:

"It's another game in our journey and everyone can see there is not much between the two sides. We have a game against Scotland and that is our next focus and we will take it from there."