South Africa beat Ireland in the third Test to win series 2-1

Ireland have never won a Test series in South Africa

Ireland failed in their bid for a first series win in South Africa as the hosts survived a late assault to win the decisive third Test in Port Elizabeth.

South Africa's Willie le Roux was lucky to escape with a yellow card for an early tackle on Tiernan O'Halloran. Luke Marshall's try put Ireland briefly in the lead but JP Pietersen gathered Elton Jantjies' cross-field kick to put the Springboks ahead at half-time.

Ireland fought hard but two penalties saw South Africa seal the series 2-1. The series had been set up for a decider after 14-man Ireland won the first Test in Cape Town, their maiden victory in South Africa, before the Springboks took the second in Johannesburg.


Joe Schmidt's Ireland side started positively in Port Elizabeth, with Marshall scoring after 13 phases, but they faded after the break and a season of 17 international matches looked to have taken its toll before a late revival saw them press hard at the end.