The Blitzboks will now have it all to do to stay in the race for podium finish at the Olympics after they lost in their first game on Wednesday afternoon.
In a first half marked by relentless Irish attack and rugged South African defence, the Blitzboks were forced to make a multitude of tackles, which they did with aplomb.
Through Terry Kennedy and Jordan Conroy, Ireland had two try-scoring opportunities which were repelled.
With half-time approaching, South Africa would have been lucky to go into the break with the scores deadlocked, but the breakthrough came on the stroke of the half-time whistle when Conroy waltzed in past the tiring defence.
The second half was a war of attrition, with both sides probing on attack and neither giving an inch on attack during the early stages; and possession and territorial play evenly poised.
The point of difference, though, proved to be the Blitzboks’ poor contesting at the breakdown and discipline in the tackle. South Africa conceded a yellow card when Ryan Oosthuizen was sent off for a head-on-head clash.
Ireland exploited the man-over advantage to perfection as Kennedy crossed for their second and ultimately match-winning try.
The Blitzboks turned to their bench and with introduction of the likes of Rosko Specman and Siviwe Soyizwapi came an injected of urgency. This led to South Africa striking with a try of their own, but with mere seconds remaining, it was too little too late.
The Blitzboks next face New Zealand in a must-win game at 21:30 on Wednesday night.
BLITZBOKS’ POOL SCHEDULE AT OLYMPICS:
Wednesday 24 July:
17h30: Blitzboks lost 10-5 to Ireland
21h30: Blitzboks vNew Zealand
Thursday 25 July
16h00: Blitzboks v Japan
(SA times, all matches on SuperSport):
Blitzboks squad for the 2024 Olympic Games — Christie Grobbelaar, Ryan Oosthuizen. Impi Visser*, Zain Davids*, Quewin Nortje, Tiaan Pretorius, Shaun Williams, Selvyn Davids* (captain), Tristan Leyds, Rosko Specman**, Siviwe Soyizwapi*, Shilton van Wyk.
Travelling reserves: Ronald Brown*, Katlego Letebele.
* indicates Tokyo 2021
** indicates Rio 2016
