National: Ireland get an incredible victory over World Champions South Africa

IN THE game of the tournament so far, Ireland have gotten a crucial 13-8 win over South Africa. 

Every bit of the game lived up to the hype as number one and two in the world took each other on. An incredible show of reliance from Ireland gave them the edge in the end. 

A ferocious start saw South Africa get the first three points of the game through a penalty which Manie Libbok successfully kicked over. 

Ireland's set piece was under serious pressure throughout the first-half, loosing five of their eight line-outs, despite this Ireland continued to put up a brave showing in defence and caused multiple turnovers to keep South Africa from scoring. 

A frustrating middle quarter of the half saw Ireland struggling to stick passes and dominate in the scrums before Connacht mid-fielder Bundee Aki fired Ireland into an attacking phase. 

Aki made an inspirational run from deep inside Ireland's own half with South African infringing at the breakdown causing a penalty. 

After countless problems with the line-out, Ireland decided to go for the corner again which worked in their favour for the first time after 33 minutes, with a long pass from James Lowe out wide to Mack Hansen to score the first try of the game, with Sexton adding the extra two points. 

Ireland maintained their slim lead to go into the dressing room 7-3 up at half-time. 

The game was hanging on a knife edge once the second-half began and it was South Africa who hit back first after a dominant scrum gave them a penalty advantage.

Cheslin Kolbe hung out out on the wing to go over the line for his side but Libbok was unable to add the conversion leaving them one point ahead. 

Every penalty was hard fought and with an incredible scrum from Andrew Porter, Ireland were awarded a penalty right in front of the posts with Sexton making no mistake putting them ahead again.

Ireland held on to their lead throughout the second-half even with the constant threat of South Africa's attack and with two missed penalty attempts from Libbok and de Klerk, they struggled to get ahead of the number one ranked team in the world. 

After coming off the bench, Jack Crowley stepped up to the plate to confidently add another three points to the scoreboard. 

Despite South Africa attacking in the last two minutes of the game Ireland were able to hold them out with another huge defence to give them a 13-8 victory and keep their World Cup dreams alive. 

IRELAND: Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Johnny Sexton (C), Jamison Gibson-Park Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong,  Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris. 

REPLACEMENTS: Iain Henderson for Ryan (51 minutes), Dan Sheehan for Kelleher (51 minutes), Ryan Baird for O'Mahony (63 minutes), Finlay Bealham for Furlong (64 minutes), Robbie Henshaw for Ringrose (64 minutes), Conor Murray for Gibson-Park (65 minutes), Jack Crowley for Sexton (72 minutes), David Kilcoyne for Porter (75 minutes). 

SOUTH AFRICA: Damian Willemse; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe; Manie Libbok, Faf de Klerk; Steven Kitshoff, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe; Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert; Siya Kolisi (C), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese.

REPLACEMENTS: Jean Kleyn for Etzebeth (47 minutes), Kwagga Smith for Wiese (47 minutes), RG Snyman for Mostert (47 minutes), Ox Nche for Kitshoff (49 minutes), Marco van Staden for Kolisi (51 minutes), Trevor Nyakane for Malherbe (61 minutes), Deon Fourie for Mbonambi (64 minutes), Cobus Reinach for de Klerk (75 minutes). 

REFEREE: Ben O'Keefe (New Zealand)