South Africa 32 Ireland 26: Ireland touched down in Port Elizabeth yesterday with a metaphorical bump and more than a few bruises after a torrid second-half backlash from South Africa saw the Springboks come from 19-3 and 26-10 down in Johannesburg to level the series with a deciding Test to come.

Joe Schmidt said Ireland failed to cope with a second-half “onslaught” from South Africa in today's second Test as the Springboks powered from 26-10 down to win 32-26 and tie the series at Ellis Park.

He might not be the finished article quite yet but within the Ireland camp there is a strong feeling that Paddy Jackson is well on the way to proving himself a genuine rival for Johnny Sexton in the chase for the green number 10 jersey.

South Africa 20 Ireland 26: The air may be thinner up here on the Highveld but it tasted oh so sweet for Ireland as they touched down in Johannesburg yesterday after their Cape Town heroics.

There are few more stunning backdrops to an international rugby stadium than the one that greets you on your arrival at Newlands Stadium. Nestled to the rear of the imposing, rugged features that define Table Mountain, it sets the scene perfectly for what lies ahead. This is South Africa, this is Springbok rugby.