South Africa vs. Ireland: Score, Reaction from 2016 International Test, Game 1

An inspirational second-half performance saw South Africa thunder back from 19-3 down to defeat Ireland 32-26 on Saturday and tie their summer series at one game apiece.

The Springboks failed to cross the whitewash in the first period, but second-half tries from Ruan Combrinck, Warren Whiteley, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende sealed the win.

Ireland fly-half Paddy Jackson impressed in the opening 40 minutes and kicked 16 points to go along with scores from Devin Toner and Jamie Heaslip, but the Boys in Green ultimately fell flat at Ellis Park.

The result means Ireland will have to wait until next Saturday to see if they can record their first-ever series triumph in South Africa, and rugby journalist Ben Coles noted the Boks certainly still have their issues to deal with:

Elton Jantjies, standing in at fly-half in place of a concussed Patrick Lambie, got South Africa's assault under way with a penalty from the very brink of his kicking territory out on the halfway line.

However, Ireland upstart Jackson was once again revelling in the opportunity head coach Joe Schmidt had afforded him, and his response to the Springboks' early kick off the mark was a steely one.

Clearly enjoying his time in Ireland's No. 10 jersey, the Ulster man proceeded to convert four penalties in the opening 30 minutes and swiftly overhauled the scoreline to leave the hosts chasing. 

The likes of Jared Payne and Andrew Trimble were also proving Schmidt's back-line selection to be spot on, but it was the pinpoint kicking of Jackson earning the majority of the plaudits, such as from RTE's Des Cahill:

Jantjies attempted and failed to replicate his Irish counterpart's success from the tee, and it wasn't long until a flowing move down the right flank produced the visitors' first try of the evening.

Trimble's kick chase applied pressure before Payne and Heaslip provided timely back-up near the right wing, and an onrushing Toner capitalised on a superb Rhys Ruddock offload to crash over near the posts.

Matt Cooper of The Last Word was in awe of winger Trimble's graft in particular:

Ireland were up 19-3 at the break, and it seemed like their game to lose, which turned out to be an apt way of summarising the second period as the travelling outfit got put under the microscope.

Half-time substitute Combrinck, on in place of winger Lwazi Mvovo, took just 15 minutes after his introduction to tighten the gap to 19-10, drawing widespread praise on his first international cap:

However, Ireland's response was an immediate one, and Heaslip shifted well off a lineout maul deep in South African territory to bundle over in the far-right corner.

The decision went to the television match official after Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth did his utmost to prevent it, but as journalist Ray Hayden showed, the touchdown was a clear one:

South Africa's second-half retribution was fierce, though, and next came the turns of Whiteley and Du Toit to touch down, the latter bagging his second score in as many weeks against Schmidt's side.

The second-rower's try under the posts put South Africa just four points off their foes at 26-22 down, but De Allende reclaimed the lead for the first time in 60 minutes, per SuperSport's Brenden Nel:

Ireland could have held out hope of drawing the fixture with a late penalty, but Jantjies instead rubbed salt in their wound with a late three-point addition of his own from long range to cap off the second-half comeback.

The altitude may have well played a factor in their downfall, but Ireland will have few excuses after letting a 16-point lead escape them, meaning the series will be decided in Port Elizabeth next Saturday.  

Post-Match Reaction

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Ireland's collapse at Ellis Park on Saturday papered over much of the fine work they displayed during an inspired first-half, ultimately just lacking the stamina to maintain their assault.

However, Schmidt was eager to shift the focus onto South Africa in his post-match comments, per the Irish Examiner's Simon Lewis:

Similarly, captain Rory Best insisted Ireland didn't fall short because of the altitude, which was always expected to cause concerns for the northern-hemisphere team:

It's true South Africa's much-improved performance in the second half showed a complete contrast to that in the first, but it was difficult to look past Ireland's noticeable slip off the gas, particularly in defence.

Schmidt rung the changes for the second Test and ultimately paid the price, although there were initial signs to suggest his tactics were spot on to begin with.