South Africa v Ireland |The moments that changed it all

Ireland silenced the South African faithful at the Stade de France in St Dennis this evening by completing a much deserved win over the defending champion Springboks. In a game that was tightly contested and left very little room for error, saw many vital and key moments that resulted in a momentum shift in the game.

The 24th Minute Turn Over

After an onlsaught of phase after phase, the Springboks looked destined to score. However a vital steal on their tryline saw them clear out the danger. This moment would be a glance at how most of the match would play out. Ireland absorbing pressure and then captilising, especially at the breakdown.

Aki's Line Break 

Bundee Aki won the man of the match award in the fixture and rightfully so. His impact was impecable and visible throughout the match. In the 30th minute, the inside centre broke the line that saw him make a mammoth run that allowed the Irish to get into threatening positions. Three minutes afte the line break, Mack Hansen crosse the line for the games opening try.

Porter's Penalty Win

Loosehead prop Andrew Porter's phenomanal scrumming display held off a seemingly tired Frans Malherbe. The scrum penalty win against the South African prop saw the Springboks concede another 3 points that narrowly stretched Irelands lead.

Fourie's Botched Lineout

It was evident that the injury to South Africa's Malcolm Marx, would not only leave a massive whole the Springbok camp, but at the specialist hooker position as well. Deon Fourie who came on for Bongi Mbonambi will have a lot to think about, especially after throwing a skew lineout deep in the oppostion 22, resulting in a penalty for Ireland. Those potential missed 5 points along with the eleven missed points from the tee, may come back to haunt the defending champs.

76 Minute Penalty

The final nail in the coffin came with just four minutes to play. With skipper and first choice fly-half Johnny Sexton having been subbed off, Jack Crowley stepped up to take the reigns on the field. And after the Springboks conceded a penalty for scruming to early, Crowley stepped up and converted the three points on offer. 

The Maul Blunder

The Springboks won the lineout in the final minute of the game and drove forward to the. However, Ireland managed to bring it to ground just two metre shy of the line. The ref judged that Ireland have the ball (a big call!) and it's a scrum for Ireland, but because time had run out, Ben O'Keefe blew the whistle and Ireland made it 16 test wins in a row