Ireland’s Johnny Sexton says son will be ‘over the moon’ after breaking record in World Cup
The world’s top-ranked teams Ireland and South Africa face each other in perhaps the most highly anticipated fixture of the Rugby World Cup pool stage this evening in Paris.
Rassie Erasmus names the same starting line-up that played in their opening fixture against Scotland, save for the injured hooker Malcolm Marx, who is replaced by Bongi Mbonambi. The Springboks have opted for a 7-1 split of forwards to backs on the bench and will be hoping to dominate with their pack.
Andy Farrell has made one change to last week’s Ireland team who beat Tonga 59-16, where Johnny Sexton broke the Irish individual points record, with Jamison Gibson-Park earning the starting scrum half position ahead of Conor Murray. Both sides have enjoyed a winning start to the tournament so far and Ireland currently sit one point above South Africa in the table on 10 points.
Follow all of the action from Stade de France. Plus get the latest Rugby World Cup odds here and tips on Ireland vs South Africa here.
South Africa 8-10 Ireland
72 min: South Africa push too early in the scrum and they are penalised with a free-kick to Ireland. Lowe boots downfield.
Lawrence Ostlere23 September 2023 21:39
South Africa 8-10 Ireland
70 min: South Africa create a maul and referee O’Keefe awards a penalty for side entry against Tadhg Beirne. South Africa go to the corner for a lineout – but it’s not thrown straight! What a mistake. Ireland will have a scrum on their own 5m line.
Lawrence Ostlere23 September 2023 21:37
South Africa 8-10 Ireland
67 min: South Africa come on again – but it’s a brilliant steal at the breakdown and Ireland get some relief inside their own 22.
Lawrence Ostlere23 September 2023 21:33
South Africa 8-10 Ireland
65 min: Another penalty, another kick for South Africa. This one is on the halfway line and so it’s left to the big left boot of De Klerk… who slaps it wildly off target. That was dreadful.
Lawrence Ostlere23 September 2023 21:30
South Africa 8-10 Ireland
From our reporter Luke Baker in Paris:
The pre-match headlines were dominated by South Africa’s decision to go for a 7-1 split of forwards to backs on the bench and we’re about to see if that unique strategy pays off. They’ve avoided the early backline injury that could have scuppered their plans and they’ll now have seven fresh big men up front compared to Ireland’s five as we reach the business end of this gruelling Test match. The early signs are positive, with a couple of scrum victories for the new-look pack, but they need to successfully kick their points when on offer, which Manie Libbok and Faf de Klerk are currently failing to do. Can Ireland hold on and take advantage?
Luke Baker23 September 2023 21:29
South Africa 8-10 Ireland
63 min: Wow, formidable by South Africa’s forwards who put on huge pressure and win a penalty after marching straight through the Irish scrum. But Libbok misses another kick – again, he really should have made it. It was perhaps 40 yards out, but not on much of an angle.
Lawrence Ostlere23 September 2023 21:28
South Africa 8-10 Ireland
61 min: Irish forwards pat each other on the back once more after winning another breakdown penalty. A huge roar goes up around the Stade de France. Scrum for Ireland, who are looking to turn the screw on this replaced South African pack.
Lawrence Ostlere23 September 2023 21:25
Penalty! South Africa 8-10 Ireland (Sexton)
59 min: Sexton makes no mistake and Ireland retake the lead. What a match, and it’s just as close as we hoped it would be.
Lawrence Ostlere23 September 2023 21:22
South Africa 8-7 Ireland
58 min: A big moment for Ireland – their pack wins a penalty after South Africa are deemed to have collapsed the scrum. They celebrate fiercely. The answer to the question below is no, right now. Sexton will kick at goal from a very central position.
Lawrence Ostlere23 September 2023 21:21
South Africa 8-7 Ireland
56 min: South Africa have replaced five of their forwards; Ireland are yet to replace one. Will that difference in energy start to tell?
Lawrence Ostlere23 September 2023 21:18
