They led 24-3 early on in a thrilling Test.

Beauden, Jordie, and Scott Barrett will become the first trio of brothers to start a Test together for the All Blacks when they line up in the series-opener against France at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.

Mike Brown will feed off Owen Farrell’s aggression at Ellis Park after insisting that his captain’s deeds rather than words will inspire England against South Africa.

As Munster’s director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus saw at first hand how to exploit opposition weakness under the high ball and now he believes that is the area he must improve quickest as he takes control of South Africa.

The battle for supremacy over the Springboks will extend all the way to the pre- and post-match functions at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, writes Donal Lenihan.

South Africa’s revival in 2017 has been built on their intensity in defence and vigour at the breakdown, which was on display again in the dominant 35-12 victory over France at Ellis Park on Saturday that saw them sweep the home series 3-0.

Few rugby players can simply be identified by their first names. Gareth, Sonny Bill, Zinzan, Jonny, and Jonah are some of the few whose deeds and skills have given them that particular status. And Joost.

New Zealand 29 Ireland 40

Conor Murray needs no reminding of those final, desperate minutes three years ago when Ireland’s hopes of a first victory over the All Blacks were dashed.

There’s a huge onus on Ireland’s new boys to hold the defensive line, writes Donal Lenihan.

The Springboks are back with a bang and Andy Farrell believes Ireland had better learn to deal with them if they are to claim history for themselves and secure a series victory at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium today.

South Africa coach Allister Coetzee expects something different when the sides meet in tomorrow’s final Test in Port Elizabeth.

Four days out from a series-deciding Test with the Springboks, Devin Toner has admitted the Ireland camp is still not over their painful defeat to South Africa at Ellis Park last Saturday.

Joe Schmidt insists there are numerous options available to him to cover for the loss of injured centre Robbie Henshaw in this Saturday’s series-deciding final Test with South Africa.

In Conor Murray’s 49-Test Ireland career to date the worst defeats have been those he has had to dwell on.

South Africa head coach Allister Coetzee has invited Ireland to “have a go” at his team when their series with the Springboks goes down to the wire on Saturday.

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.

South Africa produced a brilliant second-half performance to come from 16 points down and force their three-Test series to a decider in Port Elizabeth next week.

Craig Gilroy took a while to win Joe Schmidt over to the view he was a viable wing option for Ireland. Now he has to prove it in today’s second Test against South Africa but is hopeful Ellis Park can provide the perfect conditions to do so.

Tadhg Furlong has plenty to celebrate in his own right after being a first start for Ireland but he is also backing Test debutant Quinn Roux to shine in tomorrow’s second Test against South Africa.

Devin Toner arrived in South Africa under the darkest of clouds following the death of his father, but there was never any question of the lock missing a shot at Irish rugby history.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

After the sobering sight of four World Cup semi-finalists coming from the southern hemisphere, last weekend offered a glimmer of hope for European rugby. The question now is, was it an aberration or a line in the sand?

Jared Payne believes a Springbok backlash at Ellis Park this Saturday is guaranteed and Ireland will need a massive improvement on their first Test performance if they are to withstand it.

Despite disappointment at CJ Stander's guilty verdict and one-match suspension, Ireland seem unlikely to appeal the ban that will keep him out of this Saturday's second Test against South Africa.

In the face of criticism from Springboks coach Allister Coetzee that Ireland “weren’t interested in playing rugby”, Andrew Trimble has proclaimed pride in his team’s streetwise victory against the odds.