Resilient Ireland fronted up and refused to take a backwards step

South Africa drove them into reverse in the tackle at times but Ireland refused to be resigned to a day of backward steps

BREAKING THROUGH: Ireland's Josh van der Flier with Deon Fourie of South Africa. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

A foreboding groan rumbled around the Aviva’s three decks when news dropped that Tadhg Furlong wouldn’t be joining us for the second act. If this wasn’t quite finishing Hamlet without the Prince then it seemed like enough of a plot twist to make for an unwanted retelling.

Ireland’s backline was already resembling a patchwork quilt, stitched together on the fly as the steady haemorrhaging of players continued through the last few weeks and into the opening half. Now Big Tadhg was gone and the Bomb Squad had still to leave the opposition bench.