It was a narrow defeat, a match which Ireland could've won but they will return home wondering about that Luke Marshall break - what if he had found Keith Earls on the wing? Who knows, who knows. The match report is available to read. Thanks again for joining us (though I'm pretty sure everyone is by now watching Wales take on Northern Ireland). Until next time.

Ireland captain Rory Best: "It's been a great series, a really tough series, exactly what we thought it would be. They're a top side. We came here to win a series, we've allen short now twice, but six points in the game shows how tight the games have been. 

"Our boys have fought valiantly, unfortunately in the last two test the Springboks have been a bit more clinical. 

"A lot of people wrote us off before we came here but there are some really young players coming through. There are a lot boys to come in. The future of Irish rugby is really bright, we still think we're good enough to win series like that and eventually we'll take a look back to find out why we didn't." 

JP Pietersen is named man of the match. He tells Sky Sports: "Definitely a slow start, it took us a while to execute the game plan. We just need people to be patient with us, we need the support. The guys will realise there's a massive difference between Super Rugby and Test rugby and it's all about character."

Image source, Getty Images

A first series win in South Africa was not to be. For possession and territory there was only one team in it, but South Africa made the most of every opportunity they had. 

It was a mighty effort from Ireland, but they were just not ruthless enough.

The siren calls... Ireland must produce. Eoin Reddan fires out to Keith Earls, but Faf de Klerk comes rushing out and gobbles up the winger. Game over. 

Ireland must do something they've been unable to do this half - break South Africa's defence. They continue to have the ball, they're 5m from the line... the crowd are screaming... hearts beating faster...

Interesting. South Africa ahead of the kicker, which gives Paddy Jackson the chance to kick his team to within South Africa's 22. It'll be an Ireland line-out and Jamie Heaslip soars high to take it. What can they do from here? 

A sharp intake of breath, the referee blows his whistle, South Africa can breathe with ease again. The visitors - Rhys Ruddock specifically - coming in from the side and that's an other opportunity whistling in the wind. 

Ireland have gone through 13 phases so far and men in green are reenergised, patiently waiting for an opportunity to open up... from one side to the next they go... up to 19 phases now...

Derring-do from Ireland - Sean Cronin with a break Brian O'Driscoll would be proud of, the prop pumping those legs as he sprints into South Africa's half. Paddy Jackson is on hand to take over... Momentum building...

Ireland unable to challenge the South African line-out and Ruan Combrinck uses his mighty boot to take his team towards the halfway line. 

It's now or never for Ireland. Will they return home with a historic series victory or a heroic series defeat? The men in green have the ball, Paddy Jackson kicks for the corner, keeping South Africa pinned in their own 22. Pressure turned up a notch or two, or three...

Image source, Rex Features

Ireland with an immediate chance to respond. Eoin Reddan digging for the ball at the breakdown, three South African bodies preventing the ball from being released. 

Paddy Jacksom from about 38m outs and he bisects the posts. Ten minutes remain and only six points separate the teams. 

South Africa flick the switch and Ireland look tired. Elton Jantjies spots a gap, Jack McGrath brings him down but illegally prevents the outside-half from releasing. Another kick at goal for Jantjies from 22m and another three points. 

Image source, Rex Features

Ireland have had plenty of possession, but they've not quite been clever enough to bamboozle South Africa's defence. The hosts stopping their opponents from getting over the gain line with ease such is the speed of the attacks. 

Communication, communication, communication. Paddy Jackson and Keith Earls collide as they both go for the high ball. Somehow Jackson retains hold of the ball, despite the best efforts of his team-mate, and he calls the mark. 

And for all their effort, for all their possession, Ireland find themselves further adrift as Ruan Combrinck rattles over a mammoth kick. 

Ireland retaining the ball, six phases, seven phases, eight... but possession is ponderous, allowing South Africa's defence to organise and reorganise and, once again, their patience comes to nothing as South Africa are awarded a free kick. 

Image source, AFP

Ireland have been camped in opposition territory for the last seven minutes or so, but have yet to trouble the scoreboard.