South Africa 8-13 Ireland: Mack Hansen try helps secure thrilling win over Springboks at Rugby World Cup

Ireland beat reigning champions South Africa 13-8 in an intense Rugby World Cup pool-stage encounter, thanks in large part to Mack Hansen’s try.

Ireland had real line-out issues early on, winning none of their first four, but it eventually stabilised and helped set up the only try of the first half.

After a successful set piece the Irish went through the phases, drew in defenders and then worked the ball wide for Hansen to score a walk-in try. Johnny Sexton added the conversion and it was 7-3 at the break.

The Springboks hit back, with Cheslin Kolbe scoring a try off the back of a dominant scrum which itself came right after four replacement forwards – the so-called Bomb Squad – had been introduced.

Yet a Sexton penalty restored Ireland’s lead at 10-8 and South Africa squandered several chances to change that, with Faf de Klerk and Manie Libbok both missing penalties. A Jack Crowley penalty secured the win for Ireland.

The victory leaves Ireland in pole position to win Pool B and avoid having to face hosts France in the quarter-finals, although the likely knockout clash against New Zealand is hardly an attractive proposition.