Springboks too strong for Ireland
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa -- A dramatic second-half onslaught by South Africa swept Ireland away 31-17 in the first game of their two-test series.
In their first test under new coach Jake White, the Springboks produced a clinical second-half display as they overpowered the Irish in Bloemfontein.
Centre Wayne Julies, flanker Pedrie Wannenburg and lock Bakkies Botha, who grabbed two, scored tries as South Africa limited the Irish to just a drop goal and a penalty by flyhalf Ronan O'Gara after the break.
Fullback Gaffie du Toit kicked 11 points with three penalties and a conversion while O'Gara scored 12 points with three penalties and the drop goal.
The Springboks started brightly, with Botha crossing for the opening try in just the third minute.
O'Gara and du Toit then traded penalties, before Irish wing Shane Horgan went over in the 14th minute, after captain and centre Brian O'Driscoll had made a scything midfield break, to level the score.
O'Gara put Ireland into the lead three minutes later with his second penalty, before Du Toit levelled the scores at 11-11 four minutes later.
The Springboks then dominated the second half, continually driving the visitors back behind the advantage line, with Ireland fading terribly as they were strangled by the South African forward dominance that refused to let up.
