The visitors must turn the screw now they have numerical advantage. South Africa, though, near the halfway have put in at the scrum and their front eight are together an immovable force. South Africa gain ground, but Damian de Allende is caught sneaking in from the side and Ireland can boot to touch for a breather. 

"He's landed on the top of his shoulders so in that case it's a yellow card," says referee Glen Jackson, the crowd hissing as he shows South Africa's full-back a yellow card. But it could have been worse. Thankfully, Tiernan O'Halloran is walking off the field, wincing. 

South Africa monopolising the ball... they opt for the up and under but - oh my - Willie le Roux barges into Tiernan O'Halloran as the Ireland full-back jumps for the ball. He was off the ground and seems to be out cold. A red card? There will be a review. 

Jordi Murphy soars high to collect the ball but Rory Best's throw-in was wonky. Ireland need to cut out these needless errors.

It'll be a scrum for South Africa and it's an impressive one, Ireland backpedaling, forced into reverse. Elton Jantjies will aim at the posts, but his radar falters and there seems to be a swirling wind in Port Elizabeth. 

For all their attacking verve, Ireland cede an early penalty and Elton Jantjies, with a mammoth kick, puts his team ahead. 

Image source, AFP

Ireland on the attack in these opening minutes, keeping the ball in hand, going wide, stretching South Africa's defence. They're into the opposition half. Devin Toner uses his bulk to up the ante, but Tiernan O'Halloran coughs up possession. What a fumble, he had men in support on his outside. 

Glen Jackson is the man charged with ensuring all the rules are followed. "Ole! Ole!" sing a pocket of fans after an emotional, chest-thumping anthem. 

The whistle blows, and we're under way. 

Ireland's players trot out into the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, while South Africa follow a few minutes later. Needless to say, the hosts receive a much more enthusiastic welcome. Next the anthems, then kick-off. (I don't know why I wrote that last bit.)

South Africa have made two changes to their starting XV as they look to follow up last weekend's thrilling 32-26 win at Ellis Park.

Ruan Combrinck and Warren Whiteley come in for Lwazi Mvovo and the injured Duane Vermeulen.

Here are the teams: 

Ireland: T O'Halloran; A Trimble, L Marshall, S Olding, K Earls; P Jackson, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best, M Ross; I Henderson, D Toner; CJ Stander, J Murphy, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, F Bealham, T Furlong, U Dillane, R Ruddock, E Reddan, I Madigan, M Healy.

South Africa: W le Roux; R Combrinck, L Mapoe, D de Allende, JP Pietersen; E Jantjes, F du Klerk; T Mtawarira, A Strauss (capt), F Malherbe, E Etzebeth, P-S du Toit; F Louw, S Kolisi, W Whiteley.

Replacements: B Mbonambi, S Kitshoff, J Redelinghuys, F Mostert, J Kriel, R Paige, M Steyn, L Mvovo.

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland have made six changes and one positional switch to his starting XV as they bring their long season to a close with a 17th and final game.  

Jared Payne has been ruled out with a calf injury but Keith Earls, Mike Ross and Jordi Murphy have been recalled and CJ Stander is back after serving a one-match ban.

Payne's injury means a first start for Connacht's Tiernan O'Halloran, while Ulster pair Stuart Olding and Luke Marshall partner up in the centre.

Ireland won the first Test, South Africa the second, which means this is a third-round knockout. A series decider.  

Joe Schmidt is confident Ireland will do him proud in Port Elizabeth, but when has a coach ever predicted that his team will fluff their lines and melt under the pressure? 

"I'm utterly confident they'll make me and themselves proud," said Schmidt.  

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Rex Features

Hello! Welcome back, that's if you're rejoining us, and if you're fresh to this page then that's a welcome bonus as it means I can regurgitate all the adjectives I used to describe the opening two games. Anyway, we're here to see how Ireland get on against South Africa. Let's get on with it. 

Image source, AFP

So, World Cup finalists lose three matches on the trot to England, beaten 3-0 for the first time since 1971. This is only the beginning of their season, but for England their campaign ends triumphantly. The Cook Cup is theirs. Thanks, as always, for your company. We're taking a wee break, but we'll be back at about 15:30 BST to see how Ireland get on against South Africa. Until then... 

Image source, Getty Images

JoeyJoJo Shabadoo Jr: What a comeback from the World Cup. 3-0 in an absolutely fantastic series. Also TRIES!

Owen Seago: Once, twice, three times a winner! Magnificent England! Thank you Eddie and your team, you've made the difference!!! 

Daniel Woodley: Eight month ago England were down on their knees. Today they are riding high. This nation should be proud of them all! 

Former England full-back Jason Robinson...

Australia captain Stephen Moore talking to Fox Australia: "It has been a tough series. You can't give out that many points.

"We have done some good things. We need to keep the belief. We have got more games this season.

"England played well, they deserved to win the series. There are things we need to do better and we will go away and do that."

England captain Dylan Hartley speaking to Fox Australia: "We are very happy with the tour. We put a lot of pressure to play the perfect game and we can all agree it wasn't perfect today. But that was the last 80 minutes of the season and I am proud of how the guys conducted themselves and we have made history.

"We have scored 44 points and not played the perfect game yet, there is still a lot to to work on. We are proud of what we have achieved down under. We will enjoy this for now. The boys have got five weeks off and then we will meet up and go again."

Image source, AFP

Dylan Hartley receives a crystal trophy and raises it skywards. The squad whoops and hollers as they pose for the snappers. The memories of last year's World Cup woe forgotten for now. By the way, the match report is on the website for you all to read.