JOHANNESBURG — South Africa produced a rousing second-half revival, coming from 16 points down to beat Ireland 32-26 in Saturday’s remarkable second Test at Ellis Park and level the three-match series.
The home side, jeered as it went into halftime 19-3 behind, ran in four tries in the second half in a furious onslaught to level the series 1-1 and set up a fascinating decider in Port Elizabeth next weekend.
Paddy Jackson had kicked Ireland, winner of the first Test in Cape Town last Saturday, into an early lead and tries from Devin Toner and James Heaslip gave it a 26-10 lead with half an hour to go.
Yet with Ireland in sight of a landmark first series win in the southern hemisphere since its visit to Australia in 1979, South Africa then put aside an error-riddled performance to clinch a narrow victory.
Debutant Ruan Combrinck sparked the comeback before Warren Whiteley, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende all went over for tries to rescue home hopes.
The crowd erupted with delirium as flyhalf Elton Jantjies slotted over a penalty to confirm the victory with the last kick of the match.
The game had threatened to plunge Springbok rugby, already reeling after last weekend’s loss, into crisis but Ireland had no answer to the passionate display from the hosts in the final 20 minutes. — Reuters
