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. Postpublished at 17:19 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    Ireland win a penalty off the back of the first scrum by the Bomb Squad.

    It goes into touch just outside the 22. Ireland win the line-out but it's knocked forward and here come the Boks!

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

    South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    Another rendition of 'Zombie' rings out from the home crowd.

    All eyes go back to the Irish celebrations after their win at the World Cup in the autumn.

  3. Replacementpublished at 17:17 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    Just the six subs for South Africa.

    Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Salmaan Moerat, Leinster's former Munsterman RG Snyman and Marco van Staden all come on.

    Garry Ringrose is also on for Robbie Henshaw, while Joe McCarthy and Peter O'Mahony make way for James Ryan and Ryan Baird.

    SOuth Africa replacementsImage source, Inpho
  4. Postpublished at 17:15 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    This time Kelleher's throw is intentionally long and Doris can bring the ball forward.

    It's back to Osborne, who finds a nice touch just shy of half way.

    Here comes South Africa's bomb squad!

  5. Postpublished at 17:14 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    Kelleher's throw is over McCarthy and du Toit charges forward!

    It's worked wide and Kriel looks to put Arendse in, but Osborne races out and the home wing drops it with the try line gaping.

  6. 'Great work from Kolisi'published at 17:13 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    Alan Quinlan
    Former Munster and Ireland flanker on Sky Sports

    That was silly from Kelleher but credit must got to Siya Kolisi for winning the ball back for his side. He has had a big game.

  7. Postpublished at 17:13 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    Jack Crowley puts in a huge tackle to stop Jesse Kriel racing away. In fact, he's put the centre into touch!

  8. Missed penalty - South Africa 13-8 Irelandpublished at 17:12 British Summer Time 6 July

    Handre Pollard

    It looked like a gimmie, but he's sent it wide.

    That should make Crowley feel better about his easy miss in the first half.

  9. Postpublished at 17:11 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    That was a bit naughty by Kelleher, who kicked the ball out of de Klerk's hands and South Africa are gifted a penalty.

    Pollard points to the posts.

  10. Postpublished at 17:10 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    It was brilliant Irish defence to absorb that pressure, and Crowley clears up to halfway.

    The hosts win the throw and here they come again!

  11. Postpublished at 17:09 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    The big Springbok pack are doing their best to power their way to the line.

    They're edging closer and closer....but one bad offload and Tadhg Beirne intercepts!

  12. Postpublished at 17:08 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    Bundee Aki goes for a ball at the ruck that he thought was all his. It was unguarded, but it was too good to be true and South Africa have the penalty.

    That was like putting a plate of sweets in front of a child and telling them not to eat them. Far too tempting.

  13. Postpublished at 17:07 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    South Africa have an early line-out, which they win through the man mountain of Eden Etzebeth.

    It's worked wide to Arendse, who tries to skip free but he's brought down.

  14. Kick-offpublished at 17:06 British Summer Time 6 July

    South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    The opening 40 minutes were brilliant.

    What does the second half have in store?

    It's time to find out.

    Loftus StadiumImage source, Inpho
  15. Replacementpublished at 17:06 British Summer Time 6 July

    HT: South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    Ireland have made a change at half-time with Ronan Kelleher on in place of Dan Sheehan, who was struggling with his leg towards the end of the first half.

  16. 'Ireland's set-piece needs to be better'published at 17:04 British Summer Time 6 July

    HT: South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    Shane Horgan
    Former Ireland wing on Sky Sports

    Ireland are capable of putting pressure on the Springboks with their handling and ball work but they need a stronger base to launch from if they want to win this.

  17. Postpublished at 17:03 British Summer Time 6 July

    HT: South African 13-8 Ireland

    It shouldn't be too long before we are back under way in Pretoria.

    How much will altitude come into play in the second half? The Loftus Stadium is at 1350m above sea level.

    The tallest peak in Ireland is Carrauntoohil at 1038m - and there's not a stadium at the top of it.

  18. 'Moment of genius from Lowe'published at 17:00 British Summer Time 6 July

    HT: South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    Shane Horgan
    Former Ireland wing on Sky Sports

    Great vision from Jack Crowley, super hands from Dan Sheehan and then it was genius from James Lowe to put Jamie Osborne in. That was Ireland at their best.

    James LoweImage source, Inpho
  19. 'South Africa's width a strong point'published at 16:58 British Summer Time 6 July

    HT: South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    Rory Best
    Former Ulster captain on Sky Sports

    The early try from Arendse took advantage of their superb width. Ireland's defence needed to be more connected and they were caught out.

  20. Postpublished at 16:54 British Summer Time 6 July

    HT: South Africa 13-8 Ireland

    As things stand, today it's been Southern Hemisphere 3-0 Northern Hemisphere.

    That's after New Zealand and Australia got the better of England (just) and Wales earlier on.

    Plenty of time for things to change in the second 40 minutes.