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South Africa Beats Ireland 24-13 in Dublin

Published 24 November 2025

South Africa secured a hard-fought 24-13 victory over Ireland at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, ending a 13-year drought in the Irish capital and extending their unbeaten run on the year-end tour. The Springboks dominated the scrum throughout the match, winning six penalties and forcing a penalty try, while Ireland's discipline unraveled with a 20-minute red card and four yellow cards that left them playing with just 12 players at one point in a chaotic first half.

The game began with high intensity, as South Africa's physical pack overwhelmed Ireland's front row. Referee Matthew Carley awarded multiple scrum penalties against the hosts, including one in first-half injury time that resulted in the penalty try and a 19-7 halftime lead for the visitors. Ireland captain Caelan Doris later described the Springboks' scrum as "suffocating," noting it felt particularly intense despite his team's past competitiveness in that area. Andrew Porter received a yellow card for repeated scrum infringements, contributing to the pressure that dismantled Ireland's set piece.

Discipline proved costly for Ireland, with James Ryan's red card for a dangerous ruck clear-out overturning a try by...

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