Boks sweep Ireland away

Centre Wayne Julies, flanker Pedrie Wannenburg and lock Bakkies Botha, who grabbed two, scored tries as South Africa limited the Irish to just a drop goal and a penalty by flyhalf Ronan O'Gara after the break and overwhelmed the visitors with a cohesive forward effort and stout defence.

Fullback Gaffie du Toit kicked 11 points with three penalties and a conversion while O'Gara scored 12 points with three penalties and the drop goal.

The Springboks started brightly, with Botha crossing for the opening try in just the third minute.

O'Gara and du Toit then traded penalties, before Irish wing Shane Horgan went over in the 14th minute, after captain and centre Brian O'Driscoll had made a scything midfield break, to level the score.

O'Gara put Ireland into the lead three minutes later with his second penalty, before Du Toit levelled the scores at 11-11 four minutes later, which lasted until halftime.

O'Gara broke the deadlock after the break with his drop goal, but South Africa regained the lead almost immediately when Julies, playing his first test since his debut at the 1999 World Cup, motored over after a series of bursts from his forwards.

Botha then capped his performance when he pounced on an Irish lineout throw that went astray for his second try.

The Springboks all but sealed victory 13 minutes from the end after an electrifying period of play in which their backs and forwards put in a series of powerful runs at the Irish and Wannenburg scored after the ball came out untidily from a five-metre scrum.

Du Toit, with the conversion and his third penalty, then ensured there would be no late rally from Ireland.