South Africa weather storm in wild Ireland encounter

Ireland paid a heavy price for ill-discipline as world champions South Africa ended a 13-year wait for victory in Dublin by battling to a chaotic 24-13 victory.

- EDWARD ELLIOT

Andy Farrell's men lost James Ryan to a 20-minute red card during a remarkable first half in which teammates Sam Prendergast, Jack Crowley and Andrew Porter were sent to the sin bin.

Ireland's repeated infringements followed the perceived injustice of Springboks fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu avoiding an early card for a high hit on Tommy O'Brien.

With the hosts down to 13 men, hooker Dan Sheehan crossed in response to scores from Damian Willemse and Cobus Reinach, before a penalty try left the visitors 19-7 ahead at the break.

Depleted Ireland outscored their opponents in a spirited second half thanks to a pair of Prendergast penalties - either side of a score from Feinberg-Mngomezulu - but were ultimately well beaten.

Paddy McCarthy became the fourth Irishman to be shown a yellow card as South Africa avenged Aviva Stadium defeats in 2014, 2017 and 2022.

Two years out from the next World Cup, Ireland boss Farrell said taking on rugby's top-ranked nation would be a "litmus test" of his side's current standing.