July Tests: How each nation fared - RSA vs IRE
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With the summer tours finally over after the end of Scotland’s marathon season last weekend, we look back at how the EPCR nations fared in their various Tests around the globe.
Ireland’s statement success
The undoubted highlight of the summer series was Ireland’s dramatic 25-24 victory over South Africa in Durban, which secured a 1-1 draw with the world champions in their two-Test match-up.
The win, sealed by Ciaran Frawley’s last-gasp drop-goal, was just Ireland’s second in South Africa and even more laudable considering they were missing five regulars, the injured Dan Sheehan and Bundee Aki having joined tour absentees Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen and Hugo Keenan on the sidelines.
After the Springboks had claimed the first Test 27-20 in Pretoria, Ireland looked to be heading for back-to-back defeats for the first time since 2021 until Frawley struck with two late drop-goals.
South Africa still strong
Ireland may have celebrated the 1-1 series draw, but such are South Africa’s standards that losing at home – even to a team as good as Ireland – felt like a blow.
Regardless, across both Tests South Africa proved they are still the scrum kings of the world game and offer threat from the tee and with ball in hand. In the first Test particularly, the never say die attitude that has propelled them to two World Cup wins looked just as strong as ever.
In addition to the Ireland series, there were consummate wins first over Wales to open their summer and then against Portugal to cap July off and get preparations underway for the Rugby Championship.
