Schmidt won’t let standard go down

Ireland 29 South Africa 15

For all the positives of claiming a major Southern Hemisphere rugby scalp — their first since overcoming Australia at the 2011 World Cup — there was still plenty to concern the Ireland head coach as he prepares to debrief his squad on their return to training camp this evening.

Schmidt was due to convene his coaches this morning at Carton House to assess the medical reports from another bruising encounter with the Springboks and plot the way forward for the rest of this Guinness Series, which will see Georgia visit the Aviva Stadium next Sunday followed by Australia six days later.