Ireland player ratings versus South Africa – Castle Lager Test Two

Ireland player ratings live from Kings Park: A week after their TMO and individual error frustrations in Pretoria, Andy Farrell's Ireland came to Durban looking to draw the series and dispel all the chatter in recent days that a significant gap exists between South Africa, the back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions, and the two-in-a-row Six Nations title-winning Irish.

The 2025 British and Irish Lions coach made four changes to his XV, three due to injury at hooker, scrum-half and midfield while also starting James Ryan in place of the benched Peter O’Mahony. Farrell’s major annoyance in the 20-27 reverse at Loftus Versfeld was that Ireland never attacked the game as they wanted and played catch-up on the scoreboard from the third minute to the finish.

Here, amid the disco/swim club vibe reverberating around the ground, they brought their razzle and dazzle and led 10-0, 16-6 and 19-18 at various junctions throughout a rollicking contest before then landing the killer blow, replacement Ciaran Frawley kicking an ugly but brilliant drop goal from way out just after the end-game hooter had sounded.

The clinching of a deserved 25-24 win – only the second-ever for Ireland away to South Africa in the southern hemisphere – was an incredible moment for a player who endured the torture of missing a last-gasp drop goal to win the Champions Cup for Leinster versus Toulouse in May.

Seven weeks later, he had gone from villain to hero with a second swing of his right boot on the night (he also scored a more sweetly struck 70th-minute drop goal) to reignite that chatter about who really is the world’s best despite the outcome of last year’s French World Cup. Here are the Ireland player ratings:

15. Jamie Osborne – 8.5

A class act last weekend on debut and classy again in cap No2. A penalty-conceding mistimed jump could have unsettled him but this kid is made of stern stuff. Aside from having a vital catch/pass part in the creation of Conor Murray’s 14th-minute try, his speed of thought and pace in hunting down Kwagga Smith and preventing a 27th-minute South African try was akin to a veteran’s contribution. Began the second half with more big defensive involvements and stayed at it through to the finish. Absolutely fabulous.

14. Calvin Nash – 6.5

A lost soul in Pretoria with the way the Test unfolded, he was much, much busier here, everything from a calm 10th-minute mark to frequently giving Jack Crowley a cross-kick option. If there was one regret it was not finding the pass to connect with Garry Ringrose 13 minutes later after a catch and run. Played 61 minutes, exiting at a time when Ireland had gone 21-19 behind and in need of fresh legs.

13. Garry Ringrose – 7

Bundee Aki’s dicky shoulder got him the start but his second-half form last weekend was impressive enough anyway to demand inclusion. He will always have detractors for his level of missed tackles, and there were five here according to the full-time stats, but the upside is he selflessly puts himself about and here was no different. Look at the sweeper role he played in ruining the quick recycle South Africa were looking for from the Smith beak. Finished on the right wing for the last quarter to accommodate Stuart McCloskey’s midfield introduction.

12. Robbie Henshaw – 8.5

Immensely physical last weekend but unfortunate his game was cut short at the break. Here, he went the distance with an even better display in which the highlights were the wristy assist he gave for the Murray score and then the way he lined up and rattled the ball-carrying Handre Pollard on the half-hour. Star-studded stuff.

11. James Lowe – 7

As with Ringrose and his tackling, you must always legislate for some concentration lapse from the winger and it happened on 29 minutes when he kicked out on the full after the ball was passed back to him in the 22. Did numerous things very well, though, such as kicking ahead and forcing Pollard to concede a scrum-five on the first-half hooter, igniting the pressure that led to three Crowley points. Stayed tuned in through the second period and will revel in being a winner after his first Test issues, especially as it was his kick-chase that got Ireland the throw-in at the last lineout.

10. Jack Crowley – 8

Four from four for 11 points off the kicking tee in the first half, he was energetic and constantly looking to vary the play. That endeavour nearly came at a cost when he decided late to change the direction of one kick through and it was blocked and nearly cost a try to Smith. He simply dusted himself off and got back to the task at hand, finishing with an important 59th-minute penalty kick before giving way to Frawley.

9. Conor Murray – 8

The second injury alteration, the veteran stepping for the concussed Craig Casey, he was amongst the scorers again with another well-finished 14th-minute try under the posts. Seemed to enjoy himself immensely, the nuisance of Faf de Klerk in the head-to-head at nine urging him on to great heights, and his general level of service provided Crowley with an extra second to strut his stuff. Another 59th minute exit.

1. Andrew Porter – 6

Had amends to make after some costly breakdown penalties last weekend but his 57-minute contribution was to end with the concession at a ruck that allowed Pollard to push South Africa into the lead for the first time. You can’t fault the brand of resistance that the loosehead brings every time, and his tackle count here commendably reached double figures, but this was an evening when the nuts and bolts of his scrum play struggled as it was the set-piece that gave the hosts the opening two scores off the tee.

2. Ronan Kelleher – 7

Played last week’s second half in place of the crocked Dan Sheehan and was all the better for that lengthy run as he cleaned up his error/penalty count and didn’t take a backward step despite the punishment the Springboks pack was looking to dish out. A curiosity of his 65 minutes was that he had just four lineouts to throw into. Fair play to him, he enjoyed a 100 per cent return.

3. Tadhg Furlong – 6

Had a busy start with a number of short carries that helped to generate the momentum that got Ireland their early 10-0 lead. Quietened as the first half developed, but enjoyed a strong finish before the break with his team adding six more points. Exited on 45 minutes for a HIA and didn't return.

4. Joe McCarthy – 8.5

Missing in action last weekend, he was all over this success. Announced himself to the hosts on 12 minutes with a cracking line off a Furlong pop, and his immense value was illustrated in the nuggety way he stopped a try-threatening Springboks maul on 33 minutes. Stuck at it in the second half when the hosts dominated to ensure his team still had the chance to win it at the death.

5. James Ryan – 8

Impressive off the bench at Loftus, he convinced Farrell to slot him into the row for the start and his attitude in not tolerating the nuisance carry-on of the Springboks was tremendous during his 57 minutes. Hugely important, high tackle count. Initially seemed to be the culprit for the sin-binning that ended with Caelan Doris being carded, but his clear-out wasn't what got punished. 

6. Tadhg Beirne – 7.5

Switched from lock to blindside for this rematch, he has limited involvements on the ball as this was an evening that consisted more of clear-outs and all that type of excellent grunt. The one time he needed to fetch possession, he did so with aplomb, rising to fetch Rob Herring’s 80th-minute throw that ignited the move for the winning score.

7. Josh van der Flier – 7.5

Played just the 57 minutes but did enough in that time to still finish as his team’s highest tackler. It was quite a shift from him. A week ago, there was so much talk about opposite number Pieter-Steph du Toit in the aftermath but van der Flier and his easy-to-spot red cap stood out in laying a solid foundation for victory.

8. Caelan Doris – 8.5

Easily Ireland’s best player seven days ago, he had fellow heroes sharing the load here. Denied a try just before the break when tackled near the line off the back of a scrum, but his huge carries were significant all the way through. Will be frustrated he was carded, as Ireland ‘lost’ that period 0-9, but he wasn’t to be denied, making the key drive in the lead-up to Frawley’s glory moment.

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring – 6.5

Had initially issues with his throwing following his 65th-minute introduction and was held short when a penalty was tapped five metres out, but he found his man Beirne when most needed in the 80th minute.

17. Cian Healy – 6

A 57th-minute sub, he helped when he could to ensure the scoreboard didn’t get away from Ireland at a time when the Springboks were on top.

18. Finlay Bealham – 6.5

A 45th-minute introduction when Furlong exited early, he was visibly annoyed with the scrum penalty awarded against him on 64 minutes that cost three points. Decent number of tackles put in.

19. Ryan Baird – 6.5

Another 57th-minute change, he was the energy his team's pack needed heading into the last quarter of a match that will be famously remembered in Irish rugby history. Had a hand in the crucial score, carrying to the last ruck before Frawley's strike. 

20. Peter O'Mahony – 6.5

Similar to Baird, he gave 23 minutes of important graft to keep Ireland in the fight. Nice pass, too, in the lead-up to the clinching drop goal. 

21. Caolin Blade – 7.5

His third cap amounted to 21 minutes but he was crucial in that final play, telling Frawley what was left on the clock and then providing the perfect pass for the winning kick to launch.

22. Ciaran Frawley – 10

We rarely give top marks but he thoroughly deserves this rating. Had 21 minutes at out-half to nab Ireland their win. His 70th-minute drop goal was so sweet, coming from a South African goal-line dropout. Then, having kicked out of the full on 77 minutes, the way he held his nerve to run and grubber on his next exit from the 22 was gutsy. Landing the winner with the final touch was exquisite, especially as it was just weeks ago when his glory strike for Leinster drifted agonisingly wide of the target.

23. Stuart McCloskey – 7

Given 19 minutes for Nash, resulting in a midfield reshuffle, he stood up and ensured Ireland didn’t fold after Pollard put South Africa 24-19 ahead on 65 minutes. A lovely cameo appearance from him that included a carry in the exit that led to the defining lineout.