Subs power Boks to comeback win

Just think of the joy that Lazarus's sisters and family felt. They had seen him wither and die and had placed him in a tomb and suddenly he was back with them. It was as  if the depth of their sorrow had determined the height of their joy.

After 40 minutes, the Springboks who had withered at Newlands, were down 3-19, and many in the big Ellis Park crowd booed them. After 60 minutes they were down 10-26.

They looked finished. Only a gloomy tomb awaited South African rugby. And then they came forth. for in those last 20 minutes they scored 22 points and even before  they had got into the lead the crowd that booed them was cheering them on, for they were playing the way Springboks are expected to play.

The crowd of some 44 000 was cheering and singing – the height of their joy seemingly determined by the depth of their despondency.

The first hour was Newlands revisited – a bumbling lot without plan, purpose or skill. They did simple things so poorly – like catching and passing, like retraining the ball in the tackle (They lost it seven times), like playing to the laws, like creating chances for each other, like kicking with a purpose.  The Irish on the other did simple things well. They retained possession, caught and passed with ease and they kicked with a purpose – either into touch or retrievably. They were all determination and purpose.

And then came the last 20 minutes, and Lazarus and his family were singing and dancing.

It was a good day for rugby at Ellis Park – brisk and clear and the great ground had a big crowd. The anthems, sung by Mariechan Luiters and Vernon Barnard, were beautiful. Elton Jantjies kicked off and there was expectation in the air.

The Springboks scored first when Jantjies goaled from 50 metres out. 3-0 after 3 minutes. And then the slump into the slough of despond started.

A penalty at a tackle. 3-3 after 10 minutes.

A penalty at a tackle. 6-3 to Ireland after 14 minutes.

The Springboks opted for an attacking line-out instead of kicking a goalable penalty at goal. The Irish easily contained the line-out and Damian de Allende lost the ball in a tackle.

A penalty at a scrum. 9-3 after 22 minutes.

A penalty at a tackle ("no clear release"). 12-3 after 27 minutes.

Jantjies's pretty boot missed two penalty kicks at goal.

Then Ireland scored a try.

Lionel Mapoe, who seldom had the ball, chipped and Jackson kicked a long kick down towards the right. Lwazi Mvovo did not bring it under control but Andrew Trimble palmed it back infield as it threatened to roll out. Jared Payne picked it up and headed for the goal-line., He was brought down but Conor Murray was on hand to pass to Rhys Ruddock who gave to tall Devin Toner who burst past Adriaan Strauss and Siya Kolisi to score. Jackson converted and it was 19-3 after 34 minutes.

That was the half-time score.

The Springboks made changes. On came Ruan Combrinck for Mvovo but on the tight wing while JP Pietersen went to the left. And Warren Whitely  came on for Duane Vermeulen who had hurt his arm early in the match. The pride of the Lions was gathering and there would be two more before the match ended – Julian Redelinghuys and Franco Mostert who was making his Springbok debut. That would make seven Lions players altogether, and they made a difference.

Ireland kicked into touch well in South Africa's half.. Combrinck took a quick throw-in to Willie le Roux who ran at speed down the right and passed back to Combrinck on his right near the Irish 22. The strong, in-form wing ran straight ahead, over Paddy Jackson,  to score in the right corner. From far out Jantjies converted 19-10 after 57 minutes.

Hope sprang in the South African crowd which was soon obliterated. From the kick-off De Klerk's clearing kick was charged down and then he was penalised for an early tackle. The confident Irish opted not to kick for goal but settled for a five-metre line-out instead. They threw to the front and drove over the goal-line for a try credited to Jamie Heaslip. Jackson converted from far out. 26-10 after 60 minutes.

Gloom settled on large sections of Ellis Park.

Combrinck again went racing down the right. Then the Springboks went wide left where Whitely stepped and thrust, beat three defenders and, tackled, stretched and scored. 26-15 after 64 minutes and now each side had scored two tries.

Back came the Springboks on the attack on the left and Le Roux grubbered towards the Irish line. Covering Craig Gilroy got the ball into touch as Petersen raced close. The five-metre line-out became a five-metre scrum which became a five-metre free kick. De Klerk tapped and gave to Pieter-Steph du Toit and, powered by Mostert, the tall lock surged over under the posts. Ireland led 26-22 with just 10 minutes to play.

Now the crowd was loud in its happiness, singing Olé as if victory were fait accompli.

Ireland threw into a line-out but Eben Etzebeth snatched it in front of Toner and the Springboks went through phases, going far right and then coming back left where De Allende ducked and surged between Murray and Andrew Trimble and scored under the posts. With four minutes to play South Africa led 29-26, the first time they had had the lead for 66 minutes.

Ireland were penalised at a tackle and the final siren sounded as Jantjies teed up the ball on the half-way line. The final whistle went with the score 32-26.

Now the series is drawn as are the points – 52-all.

Man of the Match: Ireland had Andrew Trimble, Paddy Jackson, Conor Murray, Jamie Heaslip and Devin Toner as candidates. the Springboks had energetic Faf de Klerk, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth and our choice, who in 40 minutes managed more than many backs in 160 minutes – Ruan Combrinck. He played a big role in effecting victory.

Moment of the Match: In South African hearts and minds it was the try that Damian de Allende scored to bring forth the improbable victory.

Villain of the Match: Nobody. Not nearly anybody. It was a gentlemanly match.

.Scorers:

For South Africa:

Tries: Combrink, Whiteley, du Toit, de Allende

Cons: Jantjies 3

Pens: Jantjies 2

For Ireland:

Tries: Toner, Heaslip

Cons: Jackson 2

Pens: Jackson 4

Teams:

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Warren Whiteley, 21 Rudy Paige 22 Morné Steyn, 23 Ruan Combrinck.

Ireland: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart Olding, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Rhys Ruddock, 6 Iain Henderson, 5 Quinn Roux, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rory Best (captain), 1 Jack McGrath.  

Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Donnacha Ryan, 20 Sean Reidy, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Tiernan O'Halloran.

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)

Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

TMO: Jim Yuille (Scotland)