Two tries in three minutes kickstarted Ireland to a tightly-fought 19-16 win over South Africa as they got their Autumn International Series off to a winning start.

In a heavy-hitting first half, the two number 10’s exchanged early penalties inside the first ten minutes before South Africa’s Cheslin Kolbe was sin-binned for a tip tackle on winger Mack Hansen.

Yet it was the visitors, World Cup holders for a reason, who managed the sin-bin period better with Damien Willemse shanking a penalty wide.

Dan Sheehan had a charge-down try disallowed for knock-on when grounding but kicks from Johnny Sexton and Kolbe sent the sides in level at half time.

Whilst the opening period lacked tries, the game ignited into life seven minutes into the second half.

Ireland opted for the corner from a penalty, and they reaped their rewards when flanker Josh van der Flier touched down in the corner at the base of a rampant maul.

The hosts seized on that momentum and after an outstanding ruck steal by Caelan Doris, the ball was seamlessly transferred wide with Hansen the man to finish a brilliant team passage of play. Sexton missed both conversions, but Ireland had a 16-6 lead.

Entering the final fifteen minutes, we had a nail-biting finale on when visiting flanker, Franco Mostert powered over after sustained South Africa pressure.

Kolbe’s conversion hit the post and that looked costly, when with six minutes remaining, sexton slotted an assured penalty to squeeze Ireland two scores ahead.

Yet, when Kurt-Lee Arendse finished in the corner, the tension (and heart rates!) in the Aviva rose to boiling point again. Two minutes to go and there were just three points in it.

However, with the nous of their bench, Ireland’s game management was superbly savvy in the final few phases. Joey Carbery hoofed it out within milliseconds of the clock turning red and the World’s number 1 ranked side could savour an immense win against the World Cup holders.