15 Jamie Osborne
In moments Jamie Osborne performed admirably, albeit at times seemed out of sorts in his fullback position. Undeterred, he demonstrated a fine understanding along with James Lowe during his scoring drive and possessed calmness in high-stress situations. Score: 7
14 Calvin Nash
Predominantly positioned on defence, Calvin Nash displayed perseverance even when he couldn’t find opportunities with the ball towards the South Africans. His determined attitude led to a hard-fought Score: 7
13 Robbie Henshaw
After taking an early blow from Springbok captain Siya Solisi, Robbie Henshaw tenaciously kept at it, contributing both offensively with the ball and defensively. Despite collective defensive issues on the wider field, he was rated at 7.
12 Bundee Aki
Possessing less energy than his last performance in France, Bundee Aki still showed impressive defensive efforts while also involving himself in the action. He struggled to make aggressive charges forward from his position as Connacht centre, earning him Score: 7.
11 James Lowe
James Lowe played a crucial role in Osborne’s try and scored one himself, although it was disallowed. Despite being at the epicentre of the action (including Kolbe’s score), Lowe maintained his composure to attain Score: 8.
10 Jack Crowley
Despite missing a few crucial early kicks, Jack Crowley showed commendable resilience under extreme pressure and exhibited an exploratory approach throughout the match, earning him a score of 7.
9 Craig Casey
Craig Casey’s fast-paced approach was precisely what Ireland needed. His leadership and competitive spirit shone until he was subbed out for Conor Murray after a blow from RG Snyman, earning him Score: 7.
1 Andrew Porter
Andrew Porter’s performance was a balance of reliable scrum play and a few penalty-inducing decisions. Nonetheless, his usual strength around the field earned him a score of 8.
2 Dan Sheehan
Dan Sheehan had an active first half, appearing in various parts of the field. He nearly outpaced his rivals with an early interception but had to leave the game at half-time due to injury. He achieved a score of 7.
3 Tadhg Furlong
Tadhg Furlong gave a stand-out performance, balancing tackling, short carries and contributing greatly in the densely populated breakdown area. Despite lack of room for long runs, he scored an 8.
4 Joe McCarthy
Joe McCarthy demonstrated a blend of power under South African pressure; however, errors like dropping the ball and causing a penalty gave him a score of 7.
5 Tadhg Beirne
Tadhg Beirne consistently sought out the ball and made strong defensive contributions, although they often went unnoticed. His interception and turnover in the second half heightened his visibility, earning him a score of 8.
6 Peter O’Mahony
For 50 minutes, O’Mahony dedicated himself intensely to the game, tackling and generally being a bother. He was also a linchpin in the lineouts, all the while under strenuous circumstances. Rating: 7
7 Josh van der Flier
He was engaged in the toughest elements of the game. Although he could be more conspicuous in his gameplay, he made a substantial turnover in the second part of the game. However, he still somewhat falls short of his peak performance level. Rating: 7
8 Caelan Doris
Doris was arguably Ireland’s strongest player during the match. His play was distinguished with excellent direction and leadership on the field. He came very close to scoring a try. Rating: 8
Replacements
Garry Ringrose addressed the peripheral defence issue that was present during the first half. Ryan Baird brought a fresh energy to the game, scoring a try along with Conor Murray. Despite these positives, complications arose in the scrum leading to a try. Overall, the substitutes had a mixed effect. Rating: 7
Coach
Andy Farrell selected a team that had the potential to emerge victorious from the match, despite the team truly energising in the second half of play. There were instances of great play, but the try resulting from the scrum is worrying. The team displayed resolve and continued to push, hinting at an improved performance in forthcoming games. Rating: 7