Three-try Ireland cruising against Boks at break

Ireland 22 South Africa 3

Andrew Trimble, David Wallace and Marcus Horan all scored tries as Ireland took a commanding half-time lead in their autumn international against South Africa.

The Springboks made a fine start but after Andrew Pretorius had landed an early penalty it was all one-way traffic with Ireland in full control.

Eddie O'Sullivan's men looked lethal in attack with Ronan O'Gara in good form with the boot.

Ireland opened their autumn series in the unprecedented position of being favourites against South Africa for the first time in a century of fixtures between the sides.

They had won just two of the 17 previous meetings but the Springboks' decision to rest their top players for the European tour ensured their underdogs status.

Bevin Fortuin, Jaco Pretorius and Francois Steyn made their debuts in a rookie South African backs three while winger Bryan Habana was switched to outside centre.

Captain John Smit was the only survivor from the team beaten 17-12 at Lansdowne Road two years ago and he made history on two counts.

The 28-year-old Sharks hooker equalled Gary Teichmann's record of leading South Africa 36 times and also became the first Springbok to make 40 consecutive appearances.

South Africa wore replicas of their 1906 green and white jersey, with no sponsor's logo, to commemorate a centenary of Springbok rugby.

Ireland hooker Rory Best made his full Test debut in the only change to the side which finished the summer tour with a 37-15 defeat by Australia.

South Africa made a magnificent start with breaks from Fortuin and Ricky Januarie sweeping them deep into Irish territory before Andre Pretorius missed with a drop goal.

The Cats fly-half made amends by nailing a penalty moments later only for the tourists to then concede the opening try.

Ireland surged forward and won a scrum 10 metres out which they used to bring Andrew Trimble in from the left wing, the powerful Ulsterman bursting through the Springbok midfield to score.

O'Gara converted to give the home side a 7-3 lead but some poor line-out throwing from Best then put them under pressure.

South Africa set off on a 10-metre rolling maul in the 18th minute but Pretorius spilt the ball forward and Ireland capitalised with a huge kick from O'Gara that pinned the tourists close to their line.

Pretorius attempted to clear from the line-out but only found Trimble who set up a promising move which was halted when O'Gara ran back into the forwards.

The Munster fly-half had won a penalty, however, which he sent between the uprights to make it 10-3.

Trimble began the move that led to Ireland's second try which arrived in the 25th minute with the Ulster winger breaking through several tackles before recycling.

Quick hands saw the ball spun right where Ireland had numbers and Shane Horgan drew his man before supplying the scoring pass to David Wallace who raced in under the posts.

Ireland should have added their third try shortly after but Horgan opted to go it alone even though Gordon D'Arcy had looped around him and was in the clear.

D'Arcy was making ground in the midfield and one lung-busting run from Paul O'Connell drew a mighty roar from the Lansdowne Road crowd.

Stormers centre Jean de Villiers relieved the pressure by shrugging off a tackle from O'Gara and he made 30 yards before being hauled to the ground.

South Africa went on to win a five-metre scrum but number eight Pierre Spies was smashed into the ground by Wallace and Denis Leamy when he broke from the back of the set-piece and Ireland were awarded a penalty.

Horgan powered through Habana as the Irish staged a fresh attack which nearly resulted in a try for Trimble in the corner.

Some desperate cover defence from Jaco Pretorius kept him out but the ball was kept alive and Marcus Horan surged over from close range and O'Gara converted.