Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony rues costly errors but is upbeat after defeat

Focus will turn to next week's second test after Saturday's defeat. 

Ireland suffered a narrow loss in Pretoria (Themba Hadebe/AP)

Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony rued costly errors but remained upbeat following a 27-20 defeat to world champions South Africa in a gripping series opener in Pretoria.

The Springboks underlined their status as Test rugby’s top-ranked nation thanks to scores from Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe, plus a late penalty try and 10 points from fly-half Handre Pollard.