Good afternoon and welcome along to our live coverage of the World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final between Ireland and South Africa.
Kick-off is at 3.30pm as Richie Murphy’s side look to book a place in the final where they will take on either France or England.
It’s been a hugely emotional week for this Ireland team as they look to become the first Ireland team in seven years to reach the final at this grade.
We’ll have team line-ups for you in the next few minutes as we edge towards the kick-off.
Here are the teams that will line out today
Ireland U20: Henry McErlean; Andrew Osborne, Hugh Gavin, John Devine, James Nicholson; Sam Prendergast, Fintan Gunne; Paddy McCarthy, Gus McCarthy, Ronan Foxe; Charlie Irvine, Conor O’Tighearnaigh; Diarmuid Mangan, Ruadhan Quinn, Brian Gleeson.
Replacements: Danny Sheahan, George Hadden, Fiachna Barrett, Evan O’Connell, Dan Barron, Oscar Cawley, Matthew Lynch, Sam Berman.
South Africa U20: Hakeem Kunene; Jurenzo Julius, Katlego Letebele, Ethan Hooker, Michael Annies; Jean Smith, Imad Khan; Corné Lavagna, Juann Else, Dian Heunis; Coetzee le Roux, JF van Heerden; Paul de Villiers (capt), Ghudian van Reenen, Corné Beets.
Replacements: SJ Kotze, Phatu Ganyane, Zachary Porthen, Jannes Potgieter, Abulele Ndabambi, Asad Moos, Damian Markus, Regan Izaks.
Kick-off is just a few minutes away. Let us know your thoughts below about how you think this one will go.
The pitch doesn’t look to be in great condition and could make for a slippery surface today.
The teams are standing for the national anthems now. Ireland completed back-to-back Grand Slam triumphs earlier this year and will look to add world glory to that having topped Pool B with two wins and a draw.
Kick-Off! Ireland 0-0 South Africa
1 min: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
Sam Prendergast gets us underway and now they’re getting their first maul of the game rolling.
5 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
South Africa successfully put in for the first scrum after a reset. They kick possession straight back to Ireland and exchange kicks over the top with Henry McErlean.
The sequence ends with James Nicholson booting it out for a South Africa lineout.
6 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
South Africa find the corner but the lineout throw from Juann Else has been deemed to be not straight which gives Ireland a chance to clear the danger.
First to the scrum to get that going.
9 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
Nicholson finds touch to relieve the pressure. But South Africa come powering down through the phases and put the Irish backs under severe pressure.
The ball gets cleared but not for long as the host side advance again. But Ireland have another scrum now just outside the five metre line so this is a crucial one.
11 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
Fintan Gunne gets the ball out and throws it back to John Devine. He tries to kick clear but slices his effort which costs them a bit in territory as he finds touch.
12 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
Lovely piece of skill from Prendergast to release a crossfield pass which finds Nicholson. But he gets swallowed up to kill off the attack.
Meanwhile, there’s a TMO check taking place now to look for foul play.
13 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
So the South Africa full-back Hakeem Kunene has been punished for tackling Andrew Osborne in a vulnerable position in a ruck, meaning it’s a penalty for Ireland.
They make good use of it as they start marching forward. But again they are undone by an error as Brian Gleeson is penalised, and a penalty is called for South Africa.
15 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
Ireland under a lot of pressure during a South Africa attack but they deal with it and win possession back. Prendergast releases a monstrous kick that goes all the way to the South Africa tryline but there’s no-one in a green jersey there in time to finish the move.
South Africa get the ball back.
19 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
Play is quite static, save for a few bursts from the South Africa team. Ireland still waiting to get a real foothold on this game.
20 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
Another impressive attack from South Africa, and out-half Jean Smith sends them down to the corner again.
22 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
Big let-off for Ireland as they get possession back from a knock-on. They’re keeping their lines clear and holding South Africa back but they need to get forward more and spend some time in South African territory.
25 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
Fantastic workrate from Ireland there to turn the ball over. It ends with a knock-on which sees Ireland put in for a scrum.
26 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
Massive moment as South Africa come close to breaking the deadlock.
Jurenzo Julius puts the foot on the gas to make an outstanding break and put Ireland’s backs to the wall. They kick the ball across the Irish tryline but Nicholson gets back in time to throw his body on the ball and ensure their opponents don’t get any points.
32 min: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
Finally, Ireland get down into the South Africa 22 and get their maul moving from a lineout.
32 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
Superb attacking play from Ireland as they work the passes to get to the tryline. Diarmuid Mangan reaches over but has he got the ball to the line?
Over to the TMO.
33 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
And it’s short…
So unfortunate for Ireland after absorbing all that pressure. It would have been a deserved reward but they have a scrum instead.
36 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
Serious hit on Andrew Osborne there after he kicked the ball. The TMO is having a look.
37 mins: Ireland 0-0 South Africa
And that’s a yellow card for Jannes Potgieter. Correct call, really. It was a late charge and high too. Ireland will have the numerical advantage for the rest of the half.
TRY! Ireland 7-0 South Africa (Nicholson ’38)
39 mins: Ireland 7-0 South Africa
What a turnaround!
Great run from Nicholson along the wing to finish off the attack get the first try of the game. It certainly wasn’t looking like Ireland would be taking the lead based on most of the first-half action, but that’s a super response.
Half-Time: Ireland 7-0 South Africa
HT: Ireland 7-0 South Africa
Sam Prendergast adds the conversion and Ireland are in an ideal position at the break. Jean Smith tried to score a drop goal at the other end right at the death but it just trailed wide.
However, Ireland will have to build on this in the second half because they have struggled in several facets of the game, and South Africa will rally again after the restart.
Second Half: Ireland 7-0 South Africa
41 mins: Ireland 7-0 South Africa
Not the best start as McErlean slices his kick into touch. It should be restated again that the playing conditions are rough and mucky.
43 mins: Ireland 7-0 South Africa
Another let-off for Ireland as Jean Smith fails to split the posts from a penalty.
45 mins: Ireland 7-0 South Africa
And again, Smith squanders an opportunity to pick up points from a penalty.
TRY! Ireland 7-7 South Africa (Khan ’46)
49 mins: Ireland 7-7 South Africa
Disaster for Ireland, and we can’t say that it hasn’t been coming. After two missed penalties from Smith, the scrum-half Imad Khan races through to complete an impressive move and leaps in under the posts to get South Africa’s first try.
Smith taps over the extras and we’re back to a level game.
Prendergast gets Ireland into the corner at the other end as Sam Berman comes in.
TRY! Ireland 14-7 South Africa (Gleeson ’50)
51 mins: Ireland 14-7 South Africa
What a reply from Ireland, and what a carry from the number eight, Brian Gleeson. Again, Prendergast converts and Ireland put their noses out in front again.
After a very quiet first half in the scoring stakes, we’ve had two tries in the opening 10 minutes.
53 mins: Ireland 14-7 South Africa
UNLUCKY!
Ireland pounce to execute a turnover on the five-metre line. A super block down and Osborne tries to reach for the line after gathering the ball, but the referee calls for a penalty.
TRY! Ireland 21-7 South Africa (Nicholson ’60)
63 mins: Ireland 21-7 South Africa
Nicholson in again for his second try, and Ireland’s third. Again he gets under a crossfield pass from Prendergast and dashes over to strengthen Ireland’s advantage.
Prendergast slings over the conversion from a tricky angle and Ireland have really turned this game around.
𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐊𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍! 🟢
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) July 9, 2023
It's almost a carbon copy of the first try! Prendergast to Nicholson after some great pressure from the Irish forwards forces a free play for Ireland!
☘️ 21-7 🇿🇦#WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/LhmIu3gYdg
𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐍! 🟢
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) July 9, 2023
He's done it again in this competition! What an exciting prospect he is! Ireland back in front!
☘️ 14-7 🇿🇦#WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/eDZCUtAPLW
TRY! Ireland 28-7 South Africa (Berman ’66)
68 mins: Ireland 28-7 South Africa
Substitute Sam Berman dances his way over the line, and surely that’s the score that sends the Ireland U20s into the World Cup final. Prendergast maintains his flawless return from conversion kicks.
The Sam Berman try!
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀 𝐓𝐑𝐘! 🟢
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) July 9, 2023
Sam Berman finishes off a brilliant move from Ireland!
☘️ 28-7 🇿🇦#WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/zIDa0Bl25c
71 mins: Ireland 31-7 South Africa
Prendergast expands the margin once again with a well struck penalty, as Ireland start to run the bench and bring in some fresh legs for the last 10 minutes.
74 mins: Ireland 28-7 South Africa
South Africa are coming hunting for a consolation try. Ireland’s defensive line is holding very well.
TRY! Ireland 31-12 South Africa (’75 le Roux)
Full-Time! Ireland 31-12 South Africa
Ireland 31-12 South Africa
Well, what about that? Ireland overcome those first-half struggles to storm their way into the World Rugby U20 Championship final.
Two tries from James Nicholson, along with others from Brian Gleeson and Sam Berman send Richie Murphy’s side into Friday’s decider where they will face either France or England.
South Africa got a late consolation try, but even with that, they simply had no answer for Ireland’s strength and power.
Well, that’s all from us, folks. We hope you enjoyed the coverage and we hope to have you with us again soon.
