Summary

  • Ireland take on South Africa in first of two Tests in Pretora (16:00 BST)

  • Andy Farrell's side have only won once on South African soil - in June 2016 - and have never won a series.

  • This will be Farrell's last series before taking a year sabbatical to lead the British and Irish Lions in Australia in 2025.

  • Farrell hands a debut to Leinster full-back Jamie Osbourne with Munster's Craig Casey preferred to Conor Murray at scrum-half.

  • South Africa name 12 starters from the World Cup final win over New Zealand with scrum-half Faf de Klerk passed fit after an injury doubt.

  • The double world champions are the number one ranked side in world rugby with Ireland currently ranked second.

  1. The final whistlepublished at 18:33 British Summer Time 6 July

    FT: South African 27-20 Ireland

    That's all from us as South Africa come out on top in a thrilling opening Test with Ireland in Pretoria.

    Read Jonathan Bradley's report from the game here, and keep an eye on the BBC Sport website for reaction from the game.

    We're off for a lie down after a breathless 80 minutes!

    See you next week for more fun and games!

    Caelan Doris is in a scuffleImage source, Inpho
  2. 'This is a special team'published at 18:26 British Summer Time 6 July

    FT: South Africa 27-20 Ireland

    Siya Kolisi, South Africa captain, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's amazing, honestly. I can't explain how great it has been to just come back and be with the boys. This team is so special. What we did in 2023 was for the people so to come back and play here is really special."

  3. 'They are going to punish you'published at 18:21 British Summer Time 6 July

    FT: South Africa 27-20 Ireland

    Peter O'Mahony, Ireland captain, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a tough battle and we knew it was going to be very difficult with the quality of South Africa.

    "There are a lot of positives to take out of our performance but little bits here and there, playing against a side as good as this, they are going to punish you. We'll go and have a look, fix a few things and look forward to next week."

    Peter O'MahonyImage source, Getty Images
  4. 'Ireland will be gutted'published at 18:18 British Summer Time 6 July

    FT: South Africa 27-20 Ireland

    Rory Best
    Former Ulster captain on Sky Sports

    Ireland have taken it right to the defending world champions in a very hostile environment and they will be gutted by the fine margins that have seen them on the wrong end of the result.

    Some of the TMO decisions are marginal and when you toss a coin, you expect it to land on your side sometimes!

  5. Postpublished at 18:17 British Summer Time 6 July

    FT: South Africa 27-20 Ireland

    We should also add, that win makes it 3-0 to the Southern Hemisphere in their battle with their Northern counterparts.

    The Springboks, New Zealand and Australia all got the job done over Ireland, England and Wales.

  6. 'Lowe try could have stood'published at 18:15 British Summer Time 6 July

    FT: South Africa 27-20 Ireland

    Rory Best
    Former Ulster captain on Sky Sports

    Luke Pearce is standing right in front of the ruck where Kelleher scuffs it back. I don't honestly think he means to knock it back as he is falling and that could be a little bit of nit-picking from the officials... but then we are a little biased!

  7. 'Ireland of a decade ago lose that by 30 points'published at 18:12 British Summer Time 6 July

    FT: South Africa 27-20 Ireland

    Shane Horgan
    Former Ireland wing on Sky Sports

    Ireland of 10 or 15 years ago would have crumbled under that pressure but they didn't tonight and they can be proud of that.

  8. Postpublished at 18:10 British Summer Time 6 July

    FT: South Africa 27-20 Ireland

    By the way, stay with us as we'll bring you reaction from Pretoria.

  9. The Lowe showpublished at 18:09 British Summer Time 6 July

    FT: South Africa 27-20 Ireland

    James Lowe was literally involved in everything this afternoon - both good and bad.

    He set up the first try for Osborne and thought he had scored a stunning second that was later disallowed.

    He then inadvertently set Kolbe up for South Africa's second score when trying to keep a penalty in play, spilt the ball that led to South Africa's penalty try and set up Baird for the late consolation.

    That's one busy 80 minutes of work.

    James LoweImage source, Getty Images
  10. 'Ireland have to pick themselves up'published at 18:09 British Summer Time 6 July

    FT: South Africa 27-20 Ireland

    Alan Quinlan
    Former Munster and Ireland flanker on Sky Sports

    South Africa will be delighted and Ireland will have to go again next week. The Springboks had some good fortune at times, but they showed pace, power and variety.

    What a wonderful test match.

    South Africa v IrelandImage source, Getty Images
  11. Postpublished at 18:07 British Summer Time 6 July

    FT: South Africa 27-20 Ireland

    The best bit is, we get to watch these two teams go again next weekend.

    More of the same, please. That was a great watch!

  12. Postpublished at 18:06 British Summer Time 6 July

    FT: South Africa 27-20 Ireland

    'Zombie' rings out once more over the PA system.

    The South Africans don't forget, do they?

  13. Full-timepublished at 18:05 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 27-20 Ireland

    What. A. Match.

    The back-to-back world champions defeat the back-to-back Six Nations champions.

    Kolbe celebrates tryImage source, Getty Images
  14. Postpublished at 18:04 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 27-20 Ireland

    There are 14 seconds left in Pretoria.

    It's all-or-nothing time for Ireland!

  15. try

    Try - South Africa 27-20 Irelandpublished at 18:03 British Summer Time 6 July

    Ryan Baird

    Ireland come again!

    Lowe finds Baird out wide, and the big forward shows good strength to cross.

    Crowley misses the conversion, but this is a remarkable finish!

    Ryan BairdImage source, Getty Images
  16. Sin-binpublished at 18:02 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 27-15 Ireland

    To add insult to injury, Ronan Kelleher has been sent to the bin.

    90 seconds remain!

  17. try

    Try - South African 27-15 Irelandpublished at 18:01 British Summer Time 6 July

    Penalty try

    Job done for the Boks!

    It was a stunning scrum, the perfect display for technique and power!

    It's brought down over the line Luke Pearce sprints between the posts!

    South Africa penalty tryImage source, Getty Images
  18. Postpublished at 18:01 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 20-15 Ireland

    The clock is ticking away as we wait for the scrum.

    Less than three minutes stand between 14-man South Africa and victory.

  19. Postpublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 20-15 Ireland

    But it's a disaster for James Lowe who spills the kick-off and then spills the ball again as he tries to dot down.

    South Africa will have the scrum on the Irish five metre line!

  20. Postpublished at 17:59 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 20-15 Ireland

    Four-and-a-half minutes remaining!