Turnaround in Irish discipline during final quarter was pivotal

Joe Schmidt’s Ireland played safe, smart rugby in dispatching South Africa on Saturday and made a mockery of their underdog status with the bookmakers.

The 29-15 scoreline was comprehensive; only once have Ireland bettered that margin of victory against a Springbok side (32-15 in November 2006).

The Irish half-backs managed the game beautifully, no better than when South Africa had just 14 on the field in the second half. Jonathan Sexton’s beautiful, raking spiral into touch on the South African five metre line in the 67th minute led ultimately to a converted penalty. Barely five minutes later, a clever kick into the same corner by Conor Murray to a charging Tommy Bowe resulted in a converted try, sealing the match.