Frawley is the hero as Ireland equalises Springboks series

Ciaran Frawley scored a last-minute drop goal to give Ireland a dramatic 25-24 victory over Rugby World Champions South Africa and a 1-1 draw in the test series in a thrilling match in Durban on Saturday.

It was the second drop goal of the game by Frawley, who came on in the second half for link-up Jack Crowley, and the visitors overturned a five-point deficit after leading 16-6 at half-time.

Ireland dominated the first half but played second fiddle to the record four-time world champions after the break and a series of penalties from Handre Pollard gave the Springboks a 24-19 lead.

A drop kick from Frawley in the 70th minute reduced the gap to two points in front of 52,000 spectators at the sold-out Kings Park Stadium in the Indian Ocean city.

The 26-year-old, in only his sixth Test appearance, struck again in the final minute after Ireland won a line-out, sending another drop goal between the posts in a thrilling clash between the two top-ranked rugby union nations.

After referee Karl Dickson dismissed a complaint of obstruction against Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe, he blew the final whistle, a week after the hosts’ 27-20 win in their first friendly.

Ireland triumphed despite playing ten minutes less after captain and No.8 Caelan Doris received a yellow card in the 48th minute for a foul during a ruck.

In his absence, link-up player and two-time World Cup winner Pollard converted three of his eight penalties and turned a seven-point deficit into a two-point lead.

Unlike the first Test in Pretoria, Ireland dominated from kick-off and were rewarded after six minutes when Crowley scored a penalty.

By this time, the Springboks had already been forced to make a substitution: full-back Willie le Roux suffered a concussion and was replaced by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (one international match).

– Blood-smeared face –

South African lock Eben Etzebeth, with a bloody face, was the next casualty. He had to leave the field temporarily and RG Snyman, who plays rugby for his club in Ireland, came on as a substitute.

Ireland dominated the field and deservedly extended their lead to 10 points in the 14th minute with a try from scrum-half Conor Murray, which Crowley converted.

A breakthrough by defender Jamie Osborne enabled the winning goal and centre Robbie Henshaw passed the ball to Murray, who ran away and scored his 18th Test try.

Etzebeth returned, only to have teammate Franco Mostert hobble off the pitch, and Snyman came off the bench again, this time permanently.

South Africa finally scored after 19 minutes when link-up Handre Pollard, who missed three of seven shots on goal last week, slotted the ball between the posts.

When the world champions had their first half chances, they were unable to capitalise on them. Winger Kolbe missed and number 8 Kwagga Smith took the ball away after parrying a clearance from Crowley.

Pollard converted another penalty from a more difficult angle in the 35th minute to reduce the deficit to just four points, which was flattering for the home side.

But Ireland finished the first half strongly and two penalties from Crowley from good positions gave them a well-deserved 16-6 lead at half-time.

Whatever Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus said during the break, it had a huge impact: the home team took control and Pollard converted six penalties while Crowley scored just one for the Irish.

After trailing by ten points, South Africa were five points ahead, but then Frawley took the lead and turned the tide with his drop goals.

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