adminJOHANNESBURG. — South Africa survived a late Ireland onslaught to win the third Test rugby 19-13 in Port Elizabeth on Saturday and clinch a 2-1 series success.
The Springboks, who led 13-10 at half-time, had to withstand several late Irish surges to triumph and clinch a series in which only six points separated the sides in each international.
Ireland won the first Test 26-20 in Cape Town and South Africa the second 32-26 in Johannesburg.
The Irish had a 21-phase attack repulsed with four minutes left and another onslaught featuring equally good ball retention ended with the visitors being penalised and the final whistle blowing.
“I’m very happy,” said South Africa skipper and hooker Adriaan Strauss. “It was very tough game and a tough series.
“We grinded it out a bit, especially in the last few minutes when we had to defend hard.” — AFP.
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