Ireland grabbed a dramatic one-point victory over the Springboks in Durban on Saturday evening, with replacement Ciaran Frawley slotting a brilliant drop goal with the final play of the game to give the visitors a remarkable stoppage-time win.
However, there was a brief consultation to the TMO after several Springbok players seemed to suggest speedster Cheslin Kolbe had been obstructed as he sought to charge down the match-winning kick.
At first glance, it looked as if Kolbe simply slipped as he sought to get around Irish players. Yet, there is some slow-mo footage from another angle that certainly does seem to show a subtle piece of foul play from Caelan Doris.
The Irish player does seem to slightly change his position and minor contact is made with Kolbe just before he tumbles to the ground.
The Springboks ultimately lost this game as a result of far too many errors and inconsistencies, and there is no guarantee Kolbe would have managed to execute the charge down one way or another, but it is a replay worth looking at.
Check out this final moment in the Springbok game below:
No excuses from Erasmus as thrilling series is shared
The Springboks lamented a sub-standard first half but made no excuses after Ireland grabbed a dramatic 25-24 victory (half-time 16-6) to level the series over the Springboks (1-1).
“We can sit here with a sad face and think of excuses, but the best team won on the day,” said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus. “We’re really disappointed and the fans will be disappointed.
“But this was like the past four games we have played against them – all the margins have been less than one score – but main concern was that first half. We fought back from a long way at halftime and converted when we had to but in that last minute, they were better than us.”
Bok captain Siya Kolisi said that the players would spend some time reflecting on their own performances.
“The way we started wasn’t good, and we’ve only got ourselves to blame” he said.
“We weren’t all on the same page or firing at the same time, but you must also give credit to the guys who came on to fight our way back into the game.
“We would have loved to have won the series – the people who were here today were amazing in the way they supported us. It would have been great to win the series and we’re definitely hurting, but we’re not dead and we will come back again.
“We allowed them to set the tone for the game in the first half. There’s so much we can improve as a group. Each of us as an individual is going to look at ourselves. Hopefully we can rectify this next time out.”
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